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NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 




TWO POSITIONS OF NAPOLEON. 
From a sketch by /'. '/'. faketi on board the " h'ortku •■ • " 



NAPOLEON'S 
LAST VOYAGES 

BEING THE DIARIES OF ADMIRAL 
SIR THOMAS USSHER, R.N., K.C.B. 
(ON BOARD THE "UNDAUNTED"), 
AND JOHN R. GLOVER, SECRETARY 
TO REAR ADMiRAL COCKBURN (ON 
BOARD THE "NORTHUMBERLAND") 

WITH TWENTY ILLUSTRATIONS 



WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES 
BY J. HOLLAND ROSE, Litt.D. 

AUTHOR OF "LIFE OF NAPOLEON I.," 
"NAPOLEONIC STUDIES," ETC. 



NEW YORK 
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS 

153-157, FIFTH AVENUE 
1906 



35 



/// j- 



(^f// rights reserved.) 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 



Introduction. By J. Holland Rose . . -9 

Note on Thomas Ussher. By W. H. Ussher . 23 

Napoleon's Deportation to Elba . . . 27 

Taking Napoleon to St. Helena . . . 115 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 



v Two Positions of Napoleon, from a Sketch by 
d. t., taken on board the northumberland 

Napoleon and his Fellow Exiles, from a Con- 
temporary Sketch, made on board the 
Northumberland ..... 

Admiral Sir Thomas Ussher, R.N., K.C.B. 

Porto Ferrajo, Elba ..... 
,, ,, ,, (After Horace Vernet) . 

Arrival of Napoleon at Elba 

A Back View of Napoleon, contrasted with 
Louis XVIII. 

French Caricature on the transfer of Napoleon 
from the Bellerophon to the Northumber- 
land ....... 

Contemporary French Caricature on the end 
of Napoleon's Invasion of England Schemes 

Embarkation of Bonaparte on board the 

Bellerophon . . . . . ,,119 

Napoleon, from an Oil Sketch by Sir Charles 

Eastlake . . . . . „ 121 

Bonaparte on board the Bellerophon, off 

Plymouth . . . . . . ,, 126 

" Before and After Waterloo." A Cruickshank 

Caricature . . . . . ,, 147 

Napoleon on board the Bellerophon ;. . ,, 150 

The Island of St. Helena . . . • ,, 220 

A rare View of the Briars, Napoleon's first 

Residence at St. Helena . . . ,, 223 

The New House at Longwood intended for 

Napoleon . . . . . . ,, 224 

Longwood House, St. Helena . . . ,, 226 

Boney's Meditations on the Island of St. Helena. 

By Cruickshank .....,, 229 

The Rat Plague at St. Helena ,, 233 

7 



Frontispiece 


icing 


A 


/ 
23 ' 






27 

69 


>> 




70 


>! 




103 ' 


)) 




"5 


>> 




117 



NOTES ON THE PRINTS LENT BY MR. BROADLEY. 

I. Napoleon and his Fellow Exiles. {Facing p. 9.) 

A copy of this rare print was purchased as "unique" at the Edwin 
Truman Sale (May, 1906). It bore the names of the five personages por- 
trayed in it, viz., Napoleon, in the centre, with Les Cases and Montholon 
to the right, and Bertrand and Gourgand on the left. Mr. Broadley 
possesses two impressions of the engraving, one in black and the other in 
a greenish tint. The latter is inscribed : " W. F., drawn on the passage to 
St. Helena." The head of Napoleon is almost exactly similar to that of 
the coloured portrait which forms the frontispiece of Barnes's ' ' Tour 
through the Island of St. Helena" (London, 1817), stated to be the handi- 
work of "a highly esteemed gentleman who was Passenger from 
England to St. Helena with him (Napoleon) on the Northumberland? 
Amongst Barnes's subscribers the name of " W. Fowler, Merchant of 
St. Helena," figures as taking ten copies. It seems probable that he, and 
not Cruickshank, was the author of the "five heads" print, although the 
latter very likely etched it. 

2. A Back View of Napoleon contrasted with Louis XVIII. (Facing p. 103.) 

There are at least ten varieties of back views of Napoleon associated 
with the period of bis exile. The view now given is rare. 

3. French Caricature of the Transfer. (Facing p. 115.) 
This is exceedingly rare. 

4. Contemporary Caricature. (Facing p. 117.) 

This exceedingly scaree French caricature ridicules the practical realisa- 
tion in 1815 of Napoleon's projected (1797-1805) descent on the shores of 
England, under the segis of Wellington. 

5. "Before and after Waterloo." (Facing p. 147.) 

George Cruickshank's caricature, published, like No. 6, in August, 1815, 
contrasts the position of Buonaparte on the 17th June to the 17th July of 
that year. It is somewhat rare. 

6. Napoleon's Abode at St. Helena. (Facing p. 223.) 

This view of the Briars, where Napoleon spent the first weeks of his 
sojourn at St. Helena, is very rarely met with. Like No. 1, it is en- 
graved by Hassell. The tent, erected by the sailors of the Northumber- 
land, figures prominently in the view. The inscription, " Buonaparte's 
Mal-Maison at St. Helena," is sufficiently humorous. 

7. Boney , s Meditations. (Facing p. 229.) 

Mr. Bruton describes this print as "the finest of the caricatures on 
Napoleon." In any case it is the best specimen of George Cruickshank's 
art as applied to the "Last Phase." It was published in August, 1815, 
by H. Humphrey, of St. James's Street, while the fallen despot was still 
on board the Northumberland. The parody on Milton's lines describing 
the Devil addressing the Sun (" Paradise Lost," Book IV.) is sufficiently 
clear. The likeness is better than in the majority of the St. Helena 
caricatures. 

8. The Rat Plague. (Facing p. 233.) 

There are over thirty caricatures of Napoleon at St. Helena in which he 
is represented as tormented by rats. Most of these are of English origin, 
but the one now given is French. 



INTRODUCTION 

The diaries now republished in this volume are 
of great interest, whether they are regarded as 
historical documents or as revelations of charac- 
ter. No man who has emerged from a whirlpool 
of calamity has ever been more closely observed 
than was Napoleon during the time which he 
spent on British warships after his first and 
second abdications. The opportunity afforded 
by the voyages to Elba and St. Helena was in 
more respects than one unexampled. They 
formed the first periods of rest which he had had 
for many months, and enabled him to survey the 
past and to take his bearings for the present and 
future. A time of rest at sea, especially if it 
comes after intense mental and bodily strain, is 
highly favourable to that process of mental stock- 
taking which the Germans happily term " orient- 
iruncr." It must have been so to the great 
soldier and organiser who for many months had 



i o INTRO D UCTION 

wearied out ministers, prefects, secretaries, mar- 
shals, privates — in fact, every one but his own 
unweariable frame. The change from the cabinet 
or the camp to the quarter-deck was one of those 
surprising changes which loose the tongues even 
of the uncommunicative ; and Napoleon did not 
belong to that unattractive genus. Further, the 
regular life on a British man-of-war, and the 
energy shown by the bluejackets, were certain to 
prompt in the great captain reflections on the 
gigantic duel which he had waged against the 
Island Power. The man who in 1804, an d again 
in 1807, had caused medals to be struck showing 
himself as Hercules crushing a sea-monster, could 
not fail to be deeply impressed by the signal 
reversal of that pictorial prophecy which he now 
experienced. 

Not that Napoleon was prone to indulging in 
day-dreams. The time for them, perhaps, had 
scarcely come. The cloud-capped heights and 
drenching rains of St. Helena were better suited 
to that mental atmosphere which Lord Rosebery 
has summed up in the felicitous phrase " The last 
regrets " than was the machine-like discipline of 
a warship. The character of the surroundings 
may have occasioned, at least in part, the diffe- 
rence between the tone of the reflections here set 



\ 
INTROD UCTION 1 1 

forth and that of the contents of the doleful 
" Journal " kept by Gourgaud at Longwood. 
Both recitals have the unmistakable ring of sin- 
cerity and truthfulness. Here and there Captain 
Ussher and Mr. Secretary Glover may not have 
caught Napoleon's words in his rapid and not 
very distinct utterance ; but the diaries of the 
Englishmen, like that of the malcontent French 
officer at Longwood, possess one great advantage 
over the other French accounts emanating from 
St. Helena — they were written with no political 
bias or personal animus. Every student of the 
"Memorial de Ste. Helene," so cautiously edited 
by Las Cases after his return to Europe in 1822- 
23, and of the Dictdes and Rfoits which Motholon 
gave to the world in 1 846-47, is aware that those 
works were largely coloured by the desires of the 
writers to present Napoleon as a Prometheus 
chained by the kings to a desolate rock for the 
crime of befriending man and upholding popular 
liberties. As the late Sir John Seeley finely said, 
"The curtain was rung down on this last pose." 
The aim of the draughtsmen, as we now see, was 
to favour a Napoleonic revival ; and, thanks 
largely to the Rdcits, they succeeded. Those 
who have read those elaborate political pamph- 
lets, or the still more misleading diatribes of 



12 INTRODUCTION 

O'Meara, now have the means of correcting their 
estimate of the Emperor by a perusal of un- 
biassed narratives such as those here printed and 
the diaries kept by Colonel Neill Campbell at 
Elba, and by Gourgaud, Basil Jackson, and 
Lady Malcolm at St. Helena. In these we see, 
not a Prometheus, not an idol set up for partisan 
purposes, but a man. 

The Journals are valuable, not only as his- 
torical documents, but as revelations of a very 
interesting personality. It is true that the fallen 
hero did not reveal his inmost thoughts on the 
problems of life and destiny. That was to be 
expected. A sense of dignity and self-respect 
doubtless led him to keep a veil drawn over the 
shekinah of his being ; and we look in vain for 
any of the reflections on the mutability of life 
which would have furnished the fruitful stock-in- 
trade to any second-rate Landor who might have 
attempted to portray his feelings on the Un- 
daunted or the Northumberland. What strikes 
the observer is the objectivity of mind of the ex- 
Emperor. One is almost tempted to call it 
callousness in regard to one occasion described 
by Captain Maitland, of H.M.S. Bellerophon. 
It was during the transhipment from that war- 
worn old craft to the Northumberland off Berry 



INTRODUCTION 13 

Head, Devon, when he joked with Mesdames 
Bertrand and Montholon about being sea-sick. 
Here we should have liked a little more sensi- 
bility and reticence. 

It seems, however, that the ex-Emperor had 
the faculty, common to many commanders, of 
excluding at will from his mental horizon all but 
the circumstances of the moment. Or the inci- 
dent may be classed with others which illustrate 
his eager objectivity of mind, his delight in seeing 
new sights and odd situations. There are intel- 
lects of this order which revel in facts and objects 
of all kinds. Charles Dickens, though utterly 
differing from Napoleon in all else, had this 
mania for observation, this craving for visual 
details ; and his mind grated on itself when the 
desire could not for long be gratified. Napoleon 
had the same characteristic. From his father, 
Charles Bonaparte, he undoubtedly derived the 
restless, scheming faculty so prominent in his 
career ; but from his mother he inherited that 
matter-of-fact tendency which I have just noted. 
The combination of the two types has helped to 
make Napoleon what he was — the most fertile 
weaver of plans known to history, but also the 
hard, determined realist. His practicality often 
screened him from the nerve-strain to which 



i 4 INTRODUCTION 

more sensitive natures are subject ; and it helped 
to sustain him during the voyages which he made 
under the Union Jack. The schemes having 
been cut short at Fontainebleau and Waterloo, 
the maternal or objective side of his nature 
asserted itself in a way which was sometimes 
surprising to others but always sedative as far as 
he was concerned. On embarking on the Un- 
daunted at Frejus he at once fell to noticing every 
detail of the ship's equipment, even the number 
of boats carried. At dinner he entered into the 
conversation "with great animation"; and 
throughout the passage to Elba took great 
interest in questions of navigation, surprising 
Captain Ussher more than once — e.g., see pp. 64, 
67 — by his knowledge and powers of observation. 
His behaviour on the Northumberland was at 
first more reserved than it had been on the 
Undaunted and the Bellerophon ; but the habit of 
mind above noted soon showed itself, with the 
result that he proved one of the best of ship- 
mates. Few fallen potentates have faced the 
dull void of their future existence with so much 
of serenity ; and to the present writer it seems 
that Napoleon's calmness was helped by his 
faculty of encasing himself in the present when 
new objects were at hand. Not till the close of 



INTRODUCTION 15 

the voyage to St. Helena did he begin to sulk ; 
and then not because of the heat (for the winds 
south of the line were cool), but because his 
observing powers had by that time sated them- 
selves on the ship and the ship's company. 

Foremost in interest among the topics which 
he discussed with Ussher and Cockburn were 
naval and military affairs. The account which 
he gave to Ussher of the naval campaign which 
ended at Trafalgar shows his remarkable grip of 
detail. It is almost inconceivable that after nine 
years his memory for figures should have been so 
fresh. In the notes appended to this edition I 
have called attention to inaccuracies or misstate- 
ments here as elsewhere ; but it is only fair to 
bear in mind that in reports of a long conversa- 
tion (like that with Captain Ussher on May 9, 
1 8 14) the mistakes are probably due to the 
reporter rather than to the speaker. Indirectly 
this conversation throws light on the interesting 
question whether Napoleon was intent on the 
invasion of England. 

He would surely not have remembered the 
minute details of his great naval combination of 
1805 na -d it been designed merely as a blind in 
order to lure on Austria to a premature attack by 
land. This was what he asserted to the Council 



16 INTRODUCTION 

of State in 1806 (so Miot de Melito asserts), and 
to Metternich when ambassador at Paris in 18 10 ; 
but those who note the enormous extent of his 
preparations on the northern coast in 1804- 1805, 
as set forth in his " Correspondence," and the 
retentiveness of his memory, even of small 
details, as proved by the conversation with 
Ussher, will find it difficult to believe that he did 
not really intend to strike at London. Probably 
he hoped to effect a landing near the mouth of 
the Thames (perhaps on the Cliffe peninsula 
between Sheerness and Gravesend), and trusted 
to a speedy march on the capital, and to the 
confusion which would have been the result. It 
is interesting to note that he was not quite sure 
what he would have done next. The British 
Ministers, we now know, had their plans ready 
for that emergency. They would have retired 
with the Court and the national treasure to 
Worcester, or some place beyond the Severn, 
and would there have waited until the communi- 
cations of the invaders were cut by Nelson, and 
their resources exhausted by guerrilla warfare. 
Another topic on which these conversations 
threw light is the tenacity with which Napoleon 
clunaf to his schemes for the creation of a great 
navy. The opinion prevalent in England, I 



INTRODUCTION 17 

believe, is that, after Trafalgar, the Emperor 
gave up the naval game as hopeless. The in- 
correctness of this notion will be seen by any 
who will take the trouble to read Napoleon's 
voluminous correspondence on maritime affairs, 
especially for the months August, 1807, to June, 
1 808, and September, 1 8 1 o, to March, 1 8 1 1 . The 
fact was, that as long as he held Northern Italy 
and the Netherlands, his resources for ship- 
building were greater than those of the United 
Kingdom ; and he might well hope to overwhelm 
the islanders by weight of numbers, provided 
that he had peace on the Continent. That 
opportunity never came for long ; but in the 
months named above he thought it had come ; and 
the eagerness with which he pushed on his troops 
to Cadiz in June, 1808, as also the doggedness 
with which he held on to the mouths of the Elbe, 
Rhine, and Scheldt in 1813-1 4, enable us to gauge 
the grandeur of those schemes of founding a 
world-wide Empire, for which a giant navy was 
an indispensable preliminary. The reader will 
smile as he reads the assertion (p. Z^) of the 
fallen monarch that if he had remained on the 
throne he would in three or four years have had 
at his disposal three hundred sail-of-the-line. In 
his conversation with Admiral Cockburn, fifteen 



1 8 INTRODUCTION 

months later, he reduced that number by one 
half. 

But these statements are not to be dismissed 
as mere braggadocio. They represent the pro- 
jection of that tenacious will on events which had 
gone awry. To Napoleon the natural and 
inevitable thing was that France should be the 
mistress of the world. Even at St. Helena he 
could never quite understand how it had fallen 
out otherwise. It is strange that a man who 
viewed objects and details so closely and 
accurately should, at least in his later years, 
have failed to gauge events in the mass at their 
true significance. Was it due to a want of that 
invaluable faculty of projecting oneself in imagi- 
nation to the standpoint of one's opponents ? 

Even in regard to details his judgment was 
sometimes at fault — witness his remarks on 
Waterloo (p. 147). This is the more remark- 
able, seeing that in his official bulletin of the 
battle he had correctly attributed the final 
debacle to the repulse of the Guards and the 
onset of the British light horse (Vandeleur's and 
Vivian's brigades) on his centre. On the 
Northumberland he merely repeated the parrot 
cry, so prevalent at Paris after the battle, that 
the defeat was due to the treason of French 



INTR OD UCTION 1 9 

officers, who have never been named. The 
statement that an hour more of daylight would 
have altered the result is, of course, absurd. 
There are, indeed, not a few statements which 
illustrate one of his besetting faults, that of 
mendacity ; and one at least, that in which he 
sought to slander the character of that virtuous 
and most unfortunate queen, Louisa of Prussia, 
which proves him to have been lacking in 
gentlemanly feeling. But his untruthfulness is 
now and again agreeably relieved by frank 
statements which redound to his own disad- 
vantage. The most important of these is his 
unhesitating assertion that he, and he alone, was 
responsible for the condemnation of the Due 
d'Enghien. As this statement exactly coincides 
with the codicil which he added to his will, it 
must be considered completely to demolish the 
clumsy attempts of some of his apologists to 
fasten the blame for the execution on Talleyrand, 
or Savary, or somebody else. 

Herein lies the value of these diaries, that 
they rank as contemporary documents of great 
importance ; they were penned at a time when 
Napoleon (to use his own expressive phrase) 
considered himself as "a dead man." The 
time had not yet come when, with the help of 



20 INTRODUCTION 

Las Cases and Montholon, there was reared that 
singular fabric of statecraft afterwards termed by 
Montholon "la politique de Longwood." x 

It remains to add that the manuscript of 
Captain Ussher was received by the publisher 
of this volume on May 28, 1890. A version 
very similar to it was published in London in 
1840, and in Dublin in 1841 ; but these have 
long been out of print. The present version 
first appeared in magazine form in 1893. ^ was 
issued in book form by Mr. Fisher Unwin 
in 1895. 

The " Manuscript Diary " of Mr. Glover was 
received by Mr. Fisher Unwin from the Rev. 
Octavius Grindon in May, 1890. In substance 
it is in most parts closely parallel to an " Extract 
from a Diary of Rear- Admiral Sir George Cock- 
burn," which was first published at Boston (U.S.) 
in 1833, and by Messrs. Simpkin Marshall & Co., 
of London, in 1888. It is needless to go into 
a minute comparison of the two narratives. At 
many points they are nearly identical, though the 
Admiral uses the first person, while in the 
narrative here republished the Admiral's secretary, 

1 " Notes and Reminiscences of a Staff Officer," by Lieut. - 
Colonel Basil Jackson, p. 160. 



INTROD UCTION 2 1 

Mr. Glover, naturally uses the third person in 
describing the Admiral's conversations with 
Napoleon. It seems highly probable that 
Admiral Cockburn dictated his diary to his 
secretary, making use of the memory of the 
latter with respect to the lengthy conversations 
held at the dinner-table of the Northumberland. 
The fact that that diary was found among Mr. 
Glover's papers strengthens the supposition that 
it was almost a joint production. Glover, how- 
ever, certainly kept a diary of his own ; for 
some details respecting the conduct or conver- 
sations of Napoleon's companions, especially of 
Mme. Bertrand and General Gourgaud, appear 
only in his diary. The parts dealing with affairs 
at Plymouth, as also at St. Helena, are far fuller 
than in the Admiral's own narrative. 

Still, it is clear that Glover made extensive 
use of the information which he appears to have 
written down at his chief's dictation ; and this 
doubtless accounts for his prohibiting the publi- 
cation of his own private diary. This prohibition, 
so consonant with good taste, obviously could 
not hold good for all time ; and in 1893 Glover's 
diary appeared in magazine form. In 1895 it 
was issued by the present publisher in a work 
entitled " Napoleon's last Voyages," comprising 



2 2 IN TROD UCTION 

the diaries of Captain Ussher and Mr. Secretary 
Glover. For the Introduction and Notes the 
present editor is responsible. The notes to the 
edition of 1895 have not been retained except on 
pp. 60, 61, 137-139. 22 8- 

The thanks of the Editor and the Publishers 
are due to Mr. A. M. Broadley for permission 
to reproduce eight engravings from his very 
valuable collection ; also to Messrs. G. Bell and 
Sons for permission to use engravings of " Porto 
Ferrajo " and " Longwood House, St. Helena." 

J. H. R. 

Parkside Gardens, 

Wimbledon. 
July, 1906. 




ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS USHER, R N., K C.B. 



To/are pagt 13. 



NOTE ON THOMAS USSHER 

Thomas Ussher, who was born in Dublin in 
1779, was a descendant of one of the Neville 
family who settled in Ireland in the reign of King 
John, and assumed the name of Ussher to per- 
petuate the name of the office he held at Court. 

Entering the navy at the age of twelve years, 
as midshipman on board the Squirrel, Thomas 
Ussher was nominated acting lieutenant of the 
Minotaur, seventy-four guns, in 1796. In a boat- 
engagement, April, 1798, he was shot through 
the ri^ht thisfh. Thinking his wound was 
mortal, he directed his party to retire, and then 
fainted from loss of blood. The French, to their 
honour, treated him and his fellow-sufferers 
with the kindest attention, For many months 
Mr. Ussher was obliged to use crutches ; but in 
June, 1799, with the Pelicans cutter and twelve 
men, he attacked a French privateer, Le 

Trompeur, of five guns and seventy men, lying in 

23 



24 NOTE ON THOMAS USSHER 

a river at San Domingo. Although the odds 
were so fearfully against him, Le Trompeur was 
boarded, captured, and destroyed. Altogether, 
while attached to the Pelican, Mr. Ussher was in 
upward of twenty boat-engagements. September, 
1 800, he returned to England, and was obliged to 
retire for a time on half- pay, as his wounds had 
threatened to produce lockjaw. April, 1804, he 
was appointed to the command of the brig 
Colpoys, attached to the blockading force under 
Admiral Cornwallis off Brest. The fleet having 
been blown off the coast for a time, the admiral 
was in doubt as to whether the enemy had left 
the port. On hearing of this, Mr. Ussher, of his 
own accord, stood close inshore after dark, and, 
lowering his gig, a four-oared boat, actually 
entered the harbour, discovered and rowed along 
the whole French line, and obtained an exact 
knowledge of the enemy's force. Arriving abreast 
of the French admiral's ship, he was descried, and 
pursued by three boats, from which he escaped, 
as well as from the boats of brigs lying in 
Camaret Bay. The Colpoys joined the admiral 
next day with the signal flying, " The enemy 
same as when last encountered." The wound in 
his thigh having broken out afresh, accompanied 
by alarming symptoms, Mr. Ussher was obliged 



NOTE ON THOMAS USSHER 25 

to resign command of the Colpoys, but was 
almost immediately promoted to the command of 
the Redwing, a sloop of eighteen guns, his claims 
having been backed by testimonials from Earl 
St. Vincent and Admirals Cornwallis and Graves. 
His conduct at Aviles had already obtained for 
him a sword valued at fifty guineas from the 
Patriotic Society, and he had the satisfaction of 
receiving from the crew of the Colpoys a similar 
token of "respect and esteem." April 20, 1806, 
he was engaged in a spirited affair with a division 
of gunboats and several batteries, and from this 
time until August 19, in one way or another, he 
was in constant collision with the enemy, continu- 
ing to display the same zeal, skill, and enterprise 
which had already raised his reputation so high, 
and led Lord Collingwood to observe that " he 
was entitled to whatever regard the admiralty 
might be pleased to show him." During the 
winter of 18 14 Captain Ussher was again 
stationed off Toulon, and in the following April 
occurred the interesting events narrated in the 
following pages. He died June 6, 1848. 

W. H. USSHER. 



Napoleon's Last Voyages 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO 
ELBA 

In the month of August, 1813, I was stationed 
in the Undaunted, frigate, in the Gulf of Lyons, 
with the Redwing, Sir John Sinclair, and the 
Espoir, the Hon. Captain Spencer, under my 
orders. The latter, who had joined me some 
time before, had brought me letters and papers 
from England in which were various reports of 
the reverses of the French army, and of the 
probable downfall of the Emperor Napoleon, 
with many speculations and surmises thereupon, 
and hinting at the possibility of his attempting to 
make his escape to America. The Courier even 
went so far as to insert in its columns a minute 
description of the Emperor's person, in case the 



28 NAPOLEONS LAST VOYAGES 

attempt should be made. Singularly enough, I 
cut out the paragraph in question, and wafered it 
on the bookcase in my cabin, jokingly observing 
to the other captains, who happened to be dining 
with me about that time, that they had better 
take a copy of it, as he might possibly come our 
way ; little imagining, at the time I made this 
observation, that a few short months would see 
him at the very same table at which we were 
then sitting. The Redwing and the Espoir after- 
ward returned to England, and I remained 
through the winter cruising off the coast of 
France. 

On April 24, 18 14, about ten o'clock at night, 
being five or six leagues from the city of Mar- 
seilles, in company with the Ettryalus, Captain 
Charles Napier, then under my orders, my 
attention was attracted by a brilliant light in 
the direction of, and seemingly coming from, 
the town, which I conjectured was an illumina- 
tion for some important event. I began to think 
that the Courier might prove, after all, to be 
a true prophet. 

Every sail was then set on both ships, and 
every exertion was made to work up the bay. 
At daybreak we were close off the land. All 
was apparently quiet in the batteries, and not 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 29 

a flag flying ; nor were the telegraphs at work, 
which was uniformly the case on the approach 
of the enemy. Everything betokened that some 
great change had taken place. 

The morning was serene and beautiful, with a 
light wind from the southward. Eager to know 
what had happened, but above all anxious to 
hear (for who that has once experienced the 
horrors and miseries of war can wish for its 
continuance?) that peace had been restored, I 
sailed in toward the island of Pomegue, which 
protects the anchorage of the bay of Marseilles. 
To guard against a surprise, however, should 
such be attempted, I took the precaution of 
clearing the ship for action, and made signal 
to the Euryalus to shorten sail, that in the event 
of the batteries opening unexpectedly upon the 
Undaunted, my friend Captain Napier, by whose 
judgment and gallant conduct I had on other 
occasions profited, might render me any assist- 
ance, in the event of my being disabled. We 
now showed our colours, and hoisted at the main 
a flag of truce, and the royal standard of the 
Bourbons, which the ship's tailor had made 
during the night. This flag had not been dis- 
played on the French coast for a quarter of a 
century. Thus equipped, we were allowed to 



30 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

approach within gunshot, when we observed men 
coming into the battery, and almost immediately 
a shot struck us on the main-deck. Finding it 
was not their intention to allow us to proceed, I 
gave orders to wear ship, and hauled down the 
flag of truce and standard. While wearing, a 
second shot was fired, which dropped under the 
counter. This unusual and unwarrantable de- 
parture from the rules of civilised warfare I 
resolved to notice in the only way such attacks 
ought to be noticed, and determined at once, in 
the promptest and most energetic way, to con- 
vince our assailants that under no circumstances 
was the British flag to be insulted with impunity. 
I therefore again wore round, and, arriving 
within point-blank shot of the battery, poured 
in a broadside that swept it completely, and in 
five minutes not a man was to be seen near the 
guns. It was entirely abandoned. 

I now made sail for a second battery, and by 
signal directed the Euryalus to close, intending 
to anchor off the town. Shortly afterward, 
observing a boat with a flag of truce standing 
out of the harbour, I shortened sail to receive it. 
On coming alongside, I found she had on board 
the mayor and municipal officers of Marseilles, 
who had come from the town to apologise for 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 31 

the conduct pursued by the batteries, intimating 
that it was an unauthorised act of some of the 
men. They informed me of the abdication of 
Napoleon, and of the formation of a provisional 
government at Paris ; I congratulated them on 
the change. I assured these gentlemen that 
with regard to the conduct of the batteries I 
could have no hesitation in forgiving all that had 
passed, and only hoped that I might be as easily 
forgiven for the part I had taken ; that to prove 
my confidence in the honour and loyalty of their 
city, I should anchor my ship abreast of it, a 
proposition of which they did not seem very 
much to approve. I then made sail, with the 
Euryalus in company, and dropped anchor in 
the mouth of the harbour, that I might be the 
better able to take advantage of any circum- 
stances that might occur. Captain Napier and 
I then proceeded in the barge of the Euryalus 
toward the land. We found a dense crowd 
collected at the landing-place, who, as we 
stopped to inquire for the pratique officers, 
rushed into the water, and, seizing the bow of 
the boat, hauled me by main force on shore. 

Never did I witness such a scene as now pre- 
sented itself, as, almost choked by the embraces 
of old and young, we were hoisted on their 



32 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

shoulders, and hurried along, we knew not 
whither. I certainly did not envy the situation 
of my friend Captain Napier, whom I saw most 
lovingly embraced by an old lady with one eye, 
from whom he endeavoured in vain to extricate 
himself, not using, I must say, the gentlest terms 
our language affords. In this way we arrived at 
the hotel de ville, amid loud cries of " Vive les 
Anglais ! " l We were here received by our 
friends who had come with the flag of truce in 
the morning, but who were evidently not pre- 
pared for such a visit from us now. Indeed, 
under other circumstances we should not have 
been justified in appearing there as we did. 
Conscious, however, that we had no infectious 
disease on board, and as we had not visited any 
part of the Mediterranean where the plague pre- 
vailed, we endeavoured to quiet their fears, and 
to satisfy them that no danger was to be appre- 
hended from our visit. 

However, this infringement of their sanitary 
laws, the observance of which they consider so 
essential to their safety, they appeared to feel 

1 It should be remembered that the South of France, 
especially Provence, was royalist and anti-Napoleonic in 
sentiment. See " La Terreur Blanche," by E. Daudet, 
(Paris, 1906).— J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 33 

deeply, though I gave them every assurance of 
the healthy state of the ships. Besides, as I 
observed, it was no acts of ours, but had been 
forced upon us by themselves, and under cir- 
cumstances which we could not very well control. 
They said there was no previous instance of their 
sanitary laws having been violated, except by 
Napoleon when he landed from Egypt. 1 They 
then invited us, with true French politeness, into 
the maison de ville, remarking at the same time 
how much their city had suffered in the reign 
of Louis XIV. from the dreadful plague. A 
magnificent picture by David, showing some of 
the horrors of that visitation, hung in one of the 
principal rooms of the building. 

They now politely requested us to wait upon 
the general in command. We found that officer 
attending high mass at the cathedral, and it is 
hardly possible to describe his astonishment, and 
the excitement caused by seeing two British 
naval officers, in their uniforms, in the midst 
of the congregation. I went up to the general, 
who received me with much apparent cordiality, 
and with considerable tact (for we were at that 

1 Bonaparte, on landing at Frejus on October 9, 1799, 
was carried ashore shoulder-high by the people, in defiance 
of the sanitary officers. — J. H. R. 

3 



34 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

time the greater " lion " of the two) invited us 
to join the procession (I think it was that of the 
Virgin), for which preparations had been made, 
and which was about to set out from the church 
where we then were. 

The streets through which we passed were 
excessively crowded, so much so that it was with 
the utmost difficulty the procession could make 
its way at all. The predominance of old people 
and children among the crowd was remarkable. 
Commenting upon this to some of the municipal 
officers, I was told that this was caused by the 
conscription, which had swept off without dis- 
tinction (like another plague) all the young men 
who were capable of bearing arms, causing in- 
describable misery not only here, but everywhere 
throughout France. Happy, indeed, were these 
poor people at seeing us among them, the har- 
bingers of peace, which many of them had so 
long and ardently desired. That this was the 
prevailing feeling among them their whole de- 
meanour amply testified, as with loud vociferations 
of " Vive les Anglais ! " they plainly told us that 
we were not unwelcome visitors. 

On arriving near the general's house, we were 
invited to take some refreshments, which we did ; 
but the populace outside were very impatient, 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 35 

and were not satisfied until we again appeared 
among- them. I now began to reflect on the 
singular and difficult circumstances in which I 
was placed, and the responsibility I was incurring, 
being positively without any information on 
which I could rely as to the state of affairs 
outside of Marseilles. Nevertheless, as I knew 
the ships were prepared for any emergency that 
might happen, and in the hand of Lieutenant 
Hastings, my first lieutenant, in whose zeal and 
gallantry I had the greatest possible confidence, 
I did not think there was much cause for ap- 
prehension, come what might. I had an idea, 
indeed, that this enthusiasm would not last. 

In the midst of all this rejoicing, I received a 
communication from the commandant of the town, 
informing me that he had been instructed by his 
superior, the governor of Toulon, and commander- 
in-chief of the district, to order us to our ships, 
and to allow of no further communication except- 
ing by flags of truce. I replied to this somewhat 
insolent mandate by declaring my determination 
to remain where I was, telling the commandant 
pretty plainly that I should not comply with the 
orders. I knew my strength, and that the ships, 
by their position, had the entire command of 
the town. 



36 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

The governor then intimated that he would 
march 3,000 men against the town ; for this also 
I was prepared. During this angry discussion, 
Colonel Campbell, 1 the English commissioner, 
arrived, bringing with him the following very 
important note : 

" Marseilles, April 25, 18 14. 8 p.m. 
" Sir, — I have the honour to acquaint you that 
Lord Viscount Castlereagh, His Majesty's Prin- 
cipal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, has 
charged me with a mission to accompany the 
late chief of the French Government, Napoleon 
Bonaparte, to the isle of Elba, to whose secure 
asylum in that island it is the wish of His Royal 
Highness, the Prince Regent, to afford every 
facility and protection. Having afterward written 
to his Lordship that Napoleon had requested that 
a British ship-of-war might be given to him as a 
convoy to the French corvette, and at his option 

1 Colonel Sir Neil Campbell was descended from the 
Campbells of Duntroon, a younger branch of the House of 
Argyll. He entered the army in 1797, and during the years 
1808-10 served with credit in the West Indies. He after- 
wards distinguished himself in the Peninsular War, and there- 
after did good service to the allies in the campaigns of 181 3-14 
in Central Europe and France : he was badly wounded at the 
fight of Le Fere Champenoise (March 25, 1814). — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 37 

for embarkation, in case of preferring it, his 
Lordship wrote to me as follows : 

" Dated Paris, April 18. 

" ' My instructions furnish you with authority 
to call upon His Majesty's officers, by sea and 
land, to give all due fidelity and assistance to 
the execution of the service with which you are 
entrusted. I cannot foresee that any enemy can 
molest the French corvette on board of which 
it is proposed Napoleon shall proceed to his 
destination. If, however, he shall continue to 
desire it, you are authorised to call upon any of 
His Majesty's cruisers (so far as the public 
service may not be prejudiced) to see him safe 
to the island of Elba. 1 You will not, however, 
suffer this arrangement to be a cause of delay.' 

" Napoleon has since his departure from Fon- 
tainebleau toward St. Tropez pressed me to 
proceed here for this object, which I beg leave 

1 The choice of the Island of Elba for Napoleon's 
residence was due almost entirely to the Czar Alexander I. 
The other potentates and their plenipotentiaries pointed out 
the risk of leaving Napoleon so near to Italy, where he was 
still popular ; but the Czar almost pledged himself for 
Napoleon's good behaviour at Elba ; and a clause of the 
Treaty of Fontainebleau (April n) established him there with 
the title of Emperor. — J. H. R. 



38 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

to submit to your consideration, hoping that, 
as the desire to proceed immediately to his 
destination is in unison with that of the Allied 
Powers, which would be defeated by delay, in 
referring to the admiral commanding His Bri- 
tannic Majesty's fleet, you will find yourself at 
liberty to proceed to St. Tropez with His 
Majesty's ship under your command. I have 
the honour to be, sir, 

" Your most obedient servant, 

" Neil Campbell, Col. 

"Attached to the Mission of H. E. General 
Viscount Cathcart. 

"To Captain Ussher, 

" Senior Officer of his Britannic Majesty's 
ships off Marseilles." 

I immediately waited upon Colonel Campbell, 
who informed me that he had left Napoleon on 
the road, pursuing his journey to St. Tropez, 
from which place it had been arranged he 
was to embark, accompanied by the envoys 
of the allied sovereigns. I immediately made 
arrangements for quitting the harbour of Mar- 
seilles, and on the following morning (April 26) 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 39 

set sail for St. Tropez, leaving Captain Napier in 
command of the station. 

On arriving off St. Tropez, we hoisted a red 
flag at the main, that being the distinguishing 
signal agreed upon with Colonel Campbell at 
Marseilles. A boat immediately came out of 
the harbour with a lieutenant from the French 
frigate Dryade (commanded by the Comte de 
Montcabri), which was lying there with the 
corvette Victorieuse. The Comte sent his lieu- 
tenant to inform me that the Emperor Napoleon 
had abdicated, and that the Comte de Montcabri 
had orders from the provisional Government 
to remain at St. Tropez with the Victorieuse for 
the purpose of conducting the Emperor to the 
island of Elba, the sovereignty of which island 
had been guaranteed to him by the allied 
sovereigns (it now struck me that the red flag 
at the main was considered in war a signal of 
defiance). At this moment a boat came along- 
side with an Austrian officer, Major Sinclair, 
despatched from Frejus by Colonel Campbell, 
to inform me that at the particular request of the 
Emperor the commissioners of the allied sove- 
reigns had thought proper to change the place 
of embarkation, and requesting me to proceed to 
Frejus. 



4o NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

Frejus is an open roadstead five or six leagues 
to the North of St. Tropez. Here it was that 
Napoleon landed on his return from Egypt. 
On arriving at the anchorage, I received a note 
from Colonel Campbell, informing me that horses 
had been sent down from the town, and an 
orderly sergeant placed at my disposal, to carry 
on any communications with the town, which 
lies on a height three or four miles from the 
anchorage. I took advantage of this convey- 
ance, and immediately waited on Colonel Camp- 
bell, who, although suffering severely from his 
wounds, immediately accompanied me to the 
" Chapeau Rouge," a small auberge, or hotel 
(and, I believe, the only one in Frejus), where 
Napoleon was lodged. Whatever my previous 
feelings might have been toward this the most 
powerful and constant enemy my country ever 
had to contend with, I am proud to confess that 
all resentment and uncharitable feeling vanished 
quickly, and I felt all the delicacy of the situation 
in which circumstances the most extraordinary 
had placed me. His faithful follower in adversity, 
Comte Bertrand, 1 was in attendance, and, having 

1 Comte Bertrand (i 770-1844), distinguished as a General 
under Napoleon, especially at Hanau (November, 1813). He 
was, above all, noted for his fidelity to his master in and after 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 41 

announced Colonel Campbell and myself, imme- 
diately presented us to the Emperor. 

Napoleon was dressed in the regimentals of 
the Old Guard, and wore the star of the Legion 
of Honour. He walked forward to meet us, 
with a book open in his hand, to which he occa- 
sionally referred when asking me questions about 
Elba and the voyage thither. He received us 
with great condescension and politeness ; his 
manner was dignified, but he appeared to feel his 
fallen state. Having asked me several questions 
regarding my ship, he invited us to dine with him, 
upon which we retired. Shortly afterwards I was 
waited upon by Comte Bertrand, who presented 
us with lists of the baggage, carriages, horses, 
&c, belonging to the Emperor. I immediately 
made arrangements for receiving them, and then 
demanded an interview with the several envoys 
of the allied sovereigns, feeling that, being placed 
in a position of such peculiar responsibility and 
delicacy, it was necessary to hear from them the 
instructions they had received from their respec- 
tive sovereigns, that I might shape my conduct 
accordingly, and particularly that I might learn 
from them what ceremony was to be observed 

the first and second abdications (1814 and 1815). He was 
not a man of culture or of mental power. — J. H. R. 



42 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

at Napoleon's embarkation, and on arriving on 
board the Undaunted, as I was desirous to treat 
him with that generosity toward a fallen enemy 
which is ever congenial to the spirit and feelings 
of Englishmen. They informed me that their 
instructions were precise and positive, and that he 
was styled by the treaty of Fontaine bleau, Emperor 
and Sovereign of the island of Elba. I still 
entertained doubts as to the propriety of receiving 
him with a royal salute, but Colonel Campbell, in 
order to remove every doubt on the subject, 
showed me Lord Castlereagh's instructions to 
him, which were conclusive. 

I now gave orders to embark the Emperor's 
baggage, carriages, horses, &c. The Dryade 
and the Victorieuse soon after arrived in the 
roads, and anchored. On landing, the Comte 
de Montcabri expressed his surprise to my first 
lieutenant on seeing the baggage going on board. 
But on being presented to the Emperor shortly 
after, and learning his intention of embarking on 
board the Undaunted, he returned to his ship, 
and sailed out of the bay, in company with the 
Victorieuse. The Victorieuse, I was given to 
understand, was to have remained at Elba in 
the Emperor's service. 

The party at table consisted of Prince Schoo- 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 43 

valof, Russian envoy ; Baron Roller, 1 Austrian 
envoy ; Comte Truxos, Prussian envoy, and our 
envoy, Colonel Campbell ; Comte Clam, aide-de- 
camp to Prince Schwarzenberg ; Comte Bertrand, 
Drouot, 2 and I. The Emperor did not appear 
at all reserved, but, on the contrary, entered 
freely into conversation, and kept it up with 
great animation. He appeared to show marked 
attention to Baron Roller, who sat on his right 
hand. Talking of his intention of building a 
large fleet, he referred to the Dutch navy, of 
which he had formed a very mean opinion ; he 
said that he had improved their navy by sending 
able naval architects to Holland, and that he had 
built some fine ships there. The Atisterlitz, he 
said, was one of the finest ships in the world. 
In speaking of her, he addressed himself to 
Prince Schoovalof, who did not seem to like 
the reference. The Emperor said the only use 
he could make of the old Dutch men-of-war was 

1 Baron Koller, Lieut. -General, and aide-de-camp of the 
Austrian army. 

2 Drouot (17 74-1 847), son of a baker at Nancy, soon came 
to the front in the revolutionary wars, distinguishing himself 
at Wagram, Borodino, Liitzen, and Bautzen. At the close of 
18 1 3 he became aide-de-camp to Napoleon and aide-major of 
the Imperial Guard. He was of a modest, reserved disposition, 
noted for his honesty and trustworthiness. — J. H. R. 



44 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

to fit them to carry horses to Ireland. 1 He talked 
of the Elbe ; said the importance of this river 
was but little known, that the finest timber for 
ship-building could be brought there at a small 
expense from Poland, &c. 

I slept this night at Frejus, and was awakened 
at four in the morning by two of the principal 
inhabitants, who came into my room to implore 
me to embark the Emperor as quickly as possible, 
intelligence having been received that the army 
of Italy, lately under the command of Eugene 
Beauharnais, was broken up ; that the soldiers 
were entering France in large bodies, and were as 
devoted as ever to their chief. 2 These gentlemen 
were afraid the Emperor might put himself at 
their head. I told them I had no more to do 
with embarking the Emperor than they had, 
and requested them to make known their fears 

1 This explains why so often in his naval plans of 1 804-1 805 
Napoleon arranged for an expedition to Ireland to set out from 
Dutch and Flemish ports. In justice to the Dutch seamen it 
should be remembered that their navy had been ruined in his 
service, and that, especially after Camperdown, they fought 
unwillingly for him. See, too, Napoleon's reference to the 
Dutch Admiral, Verhuel, on p. 88 — J. H. R. 

2 By the Convention signed on April 16, 18 14, with the 
Austrians near Mantua, Eugene, Viceroy of the Kingdom of 
Italy, was allowed to send away his French troops to France. 
-J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 45 

and misgivings to the envoys, who, I dare say, 
were as little pleased as I was at being awakened 
at so unreasonable an hour. 

It was, indeed, pretty evident that Napoleon 
was in no hurry to quit the shores of France, 
and appeared to have some motive for remaining. 
The envoys became rather uneasy, and requested 
me to endeavour to prevail upon him to embark 
that day. In order to meet their wishes, I de- 
manded an interview, and pointed out to the 
Emperor the uncertainty of winds, and the 
difficulty I should have in landing in the boats 
should the wind change to the southward and 
drive in a swell upon the beach, which, from the 
present appearance of the weather, would in all 
probability happen before many hours ; in which 
case I should be obliged, for the safety of His 
Majesty's ship, to put to sea again. I then took 
leave, and went on board, and at ten o'clock re- 
ceived the following note from Colonel Campbell : 

" Dear Ussher, — The Emperor is not very 
well. He wishes to delay embarking for a few 
hours, if you think it will be possible then. That 
you may not be in suspense, he begs you will 
leave one of your officers here, who can make 
a signal to your ship when it is necessary to 



46 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

prepare, and he will also send previous warning. 
I think you had better come up or send, and 
we can fix a signal, such as a white sheet, at 
the end of the street. The bearer has orders to 
place at your disposal a hussar and a horse 
whenever you wish to go up or down. Let me 
know your wishes by bearer. You will find me 
at General Roller's. 

" Yours truly, 

" N. Campbell." 

Napoleon, finding that it was my determination 
to put to sea, saw the necessity of yielding to 
circumstances. Bertrand was accordingly directed 
to have the carriages ready at seven o'clock. I 
waited on the Emperor at a quarter before seven 
to inform him that my barge was at the beach. 
I remained alone with him in his room at the 
town until the carriage which was to convey him 
to the boat was announced. He walked up and 
down the room, apparently in deep thought. 
There was a loud noise in the street, upon which 
I remarked that a French mob was the worst of 
all mobs (I hardly know why I made this re- 
mark). "Yes," he replied, "they are fickle 
people"; and added, " They are like a weather- 
cock." 



NAPOLEOJSPS DEPORTATION TO ELBA 47 

At this moment Count Bertrand announced 
the carriages. He immediately put on his 
sword, which was lying on the table, and said, 
" A lions, Capitaine." I turned from him to see 
if my sword was loose in the scabbard, fancying 
I might have occasion to use it. The folding- 
doors, which opened on a pretty large landing- 
place, were now thrown open, when there 
appeared a number of most respectable-looking 
people, the ladies in full dress, waiting to see 
him. They were perfectly silent, but bowed 
most respectfully to the Emperor, who went up 
to a very pretty young woman in the midst of 
the group, and asked her, in a courteous tone, 
if she were married, and how many children 
she had. 

He scarcely waited for a reply, but, bowing 
to each individual as he descended the staircase, 
stepped into his carriage, desiring Baron Roller, 
Comte Bertrand, and me, to accompany him. 
The carriage immediately drove off at full speed 
to the beach, followed by the carriages of the 
envoys. The scene was deeply interesting. It 
was a bright moonlight night, with little wind ; 
a regiment of cavalry was drawn up in a line 
upon the beach and among the trees. As the 
carriage approached, the bugles sounded, which, 



48 NAPOLEONS LAST VOYAGES 

with the neighing of the horses, and the noise of 
the people assembled to bid adieu to their fallen 
chief, was to me in the highest degree interesting. 
The Emperor, having left the carriage, em- 
braced Prince Schoovalof, who, with Comte 
Truxos, took leave, and returned to Paris, and, 
taking my arm, immediately proceeded toward 
the barge, which was waiting to receive us. 
Lieutenant Smith (nephew of Sir Sidney Smith, 1 
who, it is well known, had been for some time 
confined in the Temple with Captain Wright) 
was, by a strange coincidence, the officer in com- 
mand of the boat. He came forward and assisted 
the Emperor along the gang-plank into the boat. 
The Undaunted lay close in, with her topsails 
hoisted, lying to. On arriving alongside, I 
immediately went up the side to receive the 
Emperor on the quarter-deck. He took his 
hat off and bowed to the officers, who were 
all assembled on the deck. Soon afterwards 
he went forward to the forecastle among the 
people, and I found him there conversing with 
those among them who understood a little 
French. Nothing seemed to escape his obser- 
vation ; the first thing which attracted his notice 

1 Sir Sidney Smith, famous for his defence of Acre against 
Napoleon in 1799 and his capture of Capri in 1806. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 49 

was the number of boats (I think we had eleven). 
Having made all sail, and fired a royal salute, 
I accompanied him to my cabin, and showed 
him my cot, which I had ordered to be prepared 
for him. He smiled when I said I had no better 
accommodation for him, and said that everything 
was very comfortable, and he was sure he would 
sleep soundly. We now made all sail, and 
shaped our course for Elba. At four, his usual 
hour, he was up and had a cup of strong coffee 
(his constant custom), and at seven came on 
deck, and seemed not in the least affected by 
the motion of the ship. At this moment we were 
exchanging numbers with the Malta, standing 
toward Genoa, and I telegraphed that I had the 
Emperor on board. 1 The wind having changed 
to the south-east, I hauled on the larboard tack 
toward Corsica. At ten we breakfasted ; Comte 
Bertrand, Comte Drouot, Baron Koller, Colonel 
Campbell, Comte Clam, and the officer of the 
morning watch were present. Napoleon was in 
very good spirits, and seemed very desirous to 
show that, though he had ambition, England 
was not without her share also. He said that 

1 An Anglo-Sicilian force under Lord William Bentinck 
and Sir Edward Pellevv captured Genoa on April 18, 1814. — 
J. H. R. 

4 



50 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

ever since the time of Cromwell we had set up 
extraordinary pretensions, and arrogated to our- 
selves the dominion of the sea ; that after the 
peace of Amiens Lord Sidmouth wished to renew 
the former treaty of commerce, which had been 
made by Vergennes after the American war ; but 
that he, anxious to encourage the industry of 
France, had expressed his readiness to enter into 
a treaty, not like the former, which it was clear, 
from the portfolio of Versailles, must be injurious 
to the interests of France, but on terms of perfect 
reciprocity — viz., that if France took so many 
millions of English goods, England should take 
as many millions of French produce in return. 1 
Lord Sidmouth 2 said : 

1 I have not found in my examination of the papers relating 
to the Peace of Amiens any proof that Napoleon made such a 
proposal. He and his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, tabooed 
discussions respecting a treaty of commerce. The last phrase, 
of Napoleon quoted above is (if correctly reported) a proof of 
his curiously mechanical ideas on national commerce. In the 
words of the Minister Chaptal, " Napoleon thought that he 
could make commerce manoeuvre like a regiment" ("Mes 
Souvenirs sur Napoleon," p. 275). — J. H. R. 

2 Addington, Prime Minister from March, 1S01 to May, 
1804, was created Viscount Sidmouth in 1805. The famous 
commercial treaty of 1786 was concluded by William Pitt 
(the younger) and Vergennes, chief Minister of France in 
1781-87. It was a noteworthy advance towards free trade. — 
J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 51 

" This is totally new. I cannot make a treaty 
on these conditions." 

" Very well. I cannot force you into a treaty 
of commerce any more than you can force me, 
and we must remain as we are, without com- 
mercial intercourse." 

"Then," said Lord Sidmouth, "there will be 
war ; for unless the people of England have the 
advantages of commerce secured to them, which 
they have been accustomed to, they will force me 
to declare war." 

"As you please. It is my duty to study the 
just interests of France, and I shall not enter into 
any treaty of commerce on other principles than 
those I have stated." 

He stated that although England made Malta 
the pretext, all the world knew that was not the 
real cause of the rupture ; l that he was sincere 
in his desire for peace, as a proof of which he 

1 This assertion is strange, because Napoleon sought in 
1803 to fasten attention on the Maltese question, which was, 
technically speaking, the weakest part of the British case. 
The real cause of the rupture was an essential divergence of 
view on colonial and Oriental policy, in which the future of 
India, Egypt, and Malta stood in vital relation. For Napoleon's 
desire of war in 1803, see Lord Holland, "Foreign Remin- 
iscences" (p. 234), who had this information from Gallois. — 
J. H. R. 



52 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

sent his expedition to San Domingo. When it 
was remarked by Colonel Campbell that England 
did not think him sincere, from his refusing a 
treaty of commerce, and sending consuls to 
Ireland, with engineers to examine the harbours, 
he laughed, and said that was not necessary, for 
every harbour in England and Ireland was well 
known to him. Bertrand remarked that every 
ambassador was a spy. 

Napoleon said that the Americans admitted 
the justness of his principles of commerce. For- 
merly they brought over some millions of tobacco 
and cotton, took specie in return, and then went 
empty to England, where they furnished them- 
selves with British manufactures. He refused to 
admit their tobacco and cotton unless they took 
from France an equivalent in French produce ; 
they yielded to his system as being just. 1 He 
added that now England had it all her own way, 
that there was no power which could successfully 
oppose her system, and that she might now 
impose on France any treaty she pleased. " The 
Bourbons, poor devils [here he checked himself], 

1 This is a straining of the facts. The United States in 
November-December, 1810, were overreached by Napoleon's 
diplomacy. See H. Adams, " History of the United States 
(1801-1813)."— J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 53 

are great lords who are contented with having 
back their estates and castles ; but if the French 
people become dissatisfied with that [the treaty], 
and find that there is not the encouragement for 
their manufactures in the interior of the country 
that there should be, they [the Bourbons] will be 
driven out in six months. 1 Marseilles, Nantes, 
Bordeaux, and the coast are not troubled by that, 
for they always have the same commerce ; but in 
the interior it is another thing. I well know 
what the feeling is for me at Terrare, 2 Lyons, 
and those places which have manufactures, and 
which I have encouraged." 3 

He said that Spain was the natural friend of 

1 This is one sign among many that in 1814 he still 
cherished great hopes of reigning once more in France. His 
popularity at Lyons, St. Etienne, &c, which was due to his 
protective tariff, was to be seen in March, 18 15. — J. H. R. 

2 " Terrare " should be Tarare, north-east of Lyons. — 
J. H. R. 

3 " Les Bourbons, pauvres diables [here he checked him- 
self], ils sont des grands seigneurs qui se contentent d'avoir 
leurs terres et leurs chateaux, mais si le peuple francais devient 
mecontent de cela, et trouve qu'il n'y a pas l'encouragement 
pour leurs manufactures dans l'interieur qu'il devrait avoir, ils 
seront chasses dans six mois. Marseille, Nantes, Bordeaux, et 
la cote ne se soucient pas de cela, car ils ont toujours le meme 
commerce, mais dans l'interieur c'est autre chose. Je sais 
bien comment l'esprit etait pour moi a Terrare, Lyon, et ces 
endroits qui ont des manufactures, et que j'ai encourages." 



54 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

France and enemy of Great Britain ; that it was 
the interest of Spain to unite with France in 
support of their commerce and foreign posses- 
sions ; that it was a disgrace to Spain to allow us 
to hold Gibraltar. It was only necessary to 
bombard it night and day for a year, and it must 
eventually fall. He asked if we still held Cintra. 
He did not invade Spain, he said, to put one of 
his family on the throne, but to revolutionise her ; 
to make her a kingdom in right ; to abolish the 
inquisition, feudal rights, and the inordinate 
privileges of certain classes. 1 He spoke also of 
our attacking Spain without a declaration of war, 
and without cause, and seizing the frigates bring- 
ing home treasure. 2 Some one remarked that 
we knew Spain intended to make common cause 
with him as soon as the treasure should arrive. 

1 This, of course, is an explanation after the event. There 
is no proof from Napoleon's Correspondence of January- 
August, 1808, that he was actuated by philanthropic motives 
towards the Spanish people. Spain and the Spanish naval 
resources unquestionably entered very largely into the great 
designs for controlling the Mediterranean and the Orient, 
which he had closely at heart in the summer of 1808. — 
J. H. R. 

2 On this question see the remarks of an impartial judge, 
Captain Mahan, of the United States Navy, " Influence of Sea 
Power on the French Revolution and Empire," vol. ii. 
chap. xv. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 55 

He said he did not want it ; all he had was five 
millions (francs) per month. 1 

On my asking a question regarding the Wal- 
cheren expedition, he said he could not hold Wal- 
cheren with less than 14,000 men, half of whom 
would be lost annually by disease ; and as he had 
such means in the neighbourhood of Antwerp, it 
could at any time be attacked, and by means of 
superiority of numbers must fall ; that the expe- 
dition against it was on too great a scale and too 
long preparing, as it gave him time. He added 
that he wrote from Vienna that an expedition was 
going to Antwerp ; he thought that a coup de main 
with 10,000 men and with his preparation would 
have succeeded ; laughed at our ignorance in suffer- 
ing so much time to be lost, and in settling down 
before Flushing (whereby we lost a large pro- 
portion of our army through disease) instead of 
advancing rapidly on Antwerp ; and seemed 
astonished at our Government's selecting such a 
commander-in-chief for so important an ex- 
pedition. 

After breakfasting, Napoleon read for some 

1 The sum really was 6,000,000 francs a month. For the 
whole conversation, see the account (rather fuller in some 
details) in Sir Neil Campbell's Journal "Napoleon at Fon- 
tainebleau and Elba" (London, 1869), pp. 201-4. — J- H. R. 



56 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

hours, and came on deck about two o'clock, 
remaining two or three hours, occasionally re- 
marking what was going forward, as the men 
were employed in the ordinary duties of the 
ship, mending sails, drawing yarns, exercising 
the guns, &c. 

After dinner, he referred to a map of Toulon 
Harbour, and went over the whole of the opera- 
tions against Lord Hood and General 0'Hara(he 
commanded the artillery there as major). All 
the other officers, he said, were for a regular 
siege. 1 He gave in a memoir proposing to drive 
off the fleet from the inner harbour, which, if 
successful, would place the garrison of Toulon 
in danger ; that it was upon this occasion he felt 
the superiority of the new tactics. He related an 
anecdote of one of the representatives of the 
people ordering his battery to fire, and unmasking 
it too soon. 

This evening a small Genoese trading-vessel 
passed near us. I ordered her to be examined, 
and, as Napoleon was anxious to know the news, 

1 This is not quite correct. The Commissioners of the 
French Convention had previously put forward a plan for 
reducing Toulon which in its general outlines resembled that 
of Bonaparte. The energy of the latter certainly carried the 
plan through successfully. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 57 

I desired the captain to be sent on board. 
Napoleon was on the quarter-deck ; he wore a 
great-coat and round hat. As he expressed a 
wish to question the captain, I sent him to the 
Emperor on the after part of the quarter-deck, 
and afterward ordered him down to my cabin. 
"Your captain," said he, "is the most extra- 
ordinary man I ever met ; he puts all sorts of 
questions to me, and, without giving me time to 
reply, repeated the same questions to me rapidly 
a second time." When I told him to whom he 
had been speaking, he appeared all astonishment, 
and instantly ran on deck, hoping to see him 
again ; but Napoleon, to his great disappoint- 
ment, had already gone below. When I told 
Napoleon the man had remarked the rapidity 
with which he put questions to him twice over, 
he said it was the only way to get at the truth 
from such fellows. 

One morning when Napoleon was on deck, I 
ordered the ship to be tacked, and we stood 
toward the Ligurian coast. The weather was 
very clear as we approached the land. We had 
a fine view of the Alps. He leaned on my arm 
and gazed at them with great earnestness for 
nearly half an hour ; his eye appeared quite fixed. 
I remarked that he had passed those mountains 



58 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

on a former occasion under very different circum- 
stances. He merely said that it was very true. 1 

The wind was now increasing to a gale. He 
asked me, laughing, if there was any danger, 
which was evidently meant to annoy Baron 
Koller, who was near him, and who had no great 
faith in the safety of ships, and whom he con- 
stantly joked on his bad sailorship, as the Baron 
suffered dreadfully from sea-sickness. He made 
some observations to me as to our men's allow- 
ance of provisions, and seemed surprised that 
they had cocoa and sugar, and asked how long 
they had had that indulgence. I told him they 
were indebted to him for it ; that the Continental 
system had done this good for sailors, that as we 
could not send our cocoa and sugar to the Con- 
tinent, the Government had made that addition 
to the allowance of the men. We now tacked 
and stood over toward the Corsican shore, passing 
a small vessel that he was very anxious for me 
to hail for news. I told him we could not get 
near enough for that purpose, as she was to wind- 
ward, crossing us on the opposite tack. We were 

1 This was in the spring of 1796, when, at the beginning of 
his first campaign, he defeated first the Austrians and then the 
Sardinians in the mountainous country north of Savona. — 
J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 59 

then at table ; he whispered to me to fire at her 
and bring her down. I expressed my surprise at 
his request, as it would denationalise her (referring 
to his Milan decree). 1 He pinched my ear, and 
laughed, remarking that the Treaty of Utrecht 
directs that when vessels are boarded it shall be 
done out of gunshot. It was on this occasion, he 
said, that England was not prepared for the steps 
he took in retaliation, upon her blockading an 
entire line of coast from the river Elbe to Brest ; 
it was that which forced him to take possession of 
Holland. 2 America behaved with spirit, he said ; 
adding that he thought their state correspondence 
was very well managed, and contained much 
sound reasoning. I asked him if he issued his 
famous Milan decree for the purpose of forcing 

1 The Milan Decree of December 17, 1807, carried his 
methods of commercial war against England, styled the 
Continental System, to great lengths. By it he declared that 
all neutral vessels which submitted to the British maritime 
regulations were thereby denationalised, and would be a good 
prize. — J. H. R. 

2 The British Order in Council of April 26, 1809, ordered 
that the British blockade of the Napoleonic lands should be 
limited to Holland, France, and Italy. Napoleon annexed 
the Kingdom of Holland in July, 18 10, owing to his resolve 
to put an end altogether to the trade between Holland and 
England — a measure which the King, Louis Bonaparte, would 
not carry out to the Emperor's satisfaction. — J. H. R. 



60 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

America to quarrel with us. He said he was 
angry with America for suffering her flag to be 
denationalised. 1 He spoke long on this subject, 
and said that America had justice on her side ; he 
rather expected America to invade Mexico. He 
said the expedition against Copenhagen was most 
unjust, and from every point of view bad policy ; 
and that, after all, we only took a few vessels that 
were of no use to us ; that the gross injustice of 
attacking a weaker nation, without a cause and 
without a declaration of war, did us infinite harm. 2 
I observed that it was at that time believed that 
their fleet was sold to him. 

In speaking of Toulon, he remarked that he 

1 All this is exactly as in original. — W. H. U. Napoleon 
had several disputes with the United States on naval and 
commercial matters, chiefly because their ships, after bringing 
American produce to France, used to call at British ports and 
carry back British goods. This, in his view, denationalised 
them, and he captured and confiscated as many as possible. 
Mexico was a possession of Spain, then an ally of France. — 
J. H. R. 

2 The British expedition to Copenhagen in August, 1807 
(not to be confused with Nelson's attack in the spring of 
1 801), was due to the knowledge gleaned by British 
diplomatists and Ministers of Napoleon's resolve after the 
Treaty of Tilsit (July 7, 1807), to coerce Denmark, and 
probably make use of her fleet. For proof, see " Napoleonic 
Studies,' by J. H. Rose, pp. 133-165 ; also the Edinburgh 
Review for April, 1906. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 61 

found great inconvenience in being obliged to 
complete the provisions and stores after the ships 
went out of the inner harbours, as it gave infor- 
mation of his intentions to British cruisers. To 
avoid this, he sent the Rivoli out from Venice on 
a camel, 1 with her guns, stores, and provisions on 
board. He meant to form an establishment for 
building men-of-war at Bouc, near the mouth of 
the Rhone, instead of at Toulon, the timber of 
which was to be brought there by a canal from 
the Rhone, and that he intended to make Toulon 
a port of equipment. In speaking of Cherbourg, 
he described the basin cut out of the solid rock, 
with docks for ships, executed by his orders, and 
drew with a pencil on a plan I have of the town 
a line of fortifications erected for its defence 
against any expedition from England, which it 
seemed he expected. The entrance is mined 
at each side. The Empress Marie Louise visited 
Cherbourg (when he was in Dresden) at the 
completion of the works last year. He said he 
had in his possession what would be invaluable 
to England, and spoke of the weak and strong 
points of the empire. Some remarks arising from 

1 A water-tight structure placed beneath a ship to raise it 
in the water, in order to assist its passage over a shoal or 
bar. 



62 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

this observation, he said, " France is nothing 
without Antwerp ; for, while Brest and Toulon 
are blockaded, a fleet can be equipped there, 
wood being brought from Poland." He never 
would consent to give it up, having sworn at his 
coronation not to diminish France. He had the 
Elbe sounded and surveyed carefully, and found 
that it was as favourable as the Scheldt for great 
naval establishments near Hamburg. 1 

He told me his plans for the navy were on a 
gigantic scale ; he would have had three hundred 
sail of the line. 2 I observed that it was im- 
possible for him to man half the number. He 
said the naval conscription, with the enlistment 
of foreigners which he could have from all parts 
of Europe, would supply men enough for the 
whole of the navy ; that the Zuyder Zee is 
particularly well fitted for exercising conscripts. 

1 These statements are of great interest as showing his 
resolve to have a great navy. They bear also on the question 
whether, during the Hundred Days (1815), he was really 
content with the confines of the old monarchy, as restored 
in 1 8 14, which assigned the Belgic Netherlands to Holland. 
The British Ministry was equally desirous in 181 3-1 81 4 not 
to make peace until Antwerp was severed from France. See 
" Castlereagh's Letters," 3rd series, vol. i. p. 74. — J. H. R. 

2 See Introduction, p. 17. The substance of this conver- 
sation was reported by Captain Ussher to Lord Holland. See 
" Foreign Reminiscences," by Lord Holland, p. 274. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 63 

Having expressed some doubts as to the merits of 
his conscript sailors, he said I was mistaken, and 
asked my opinion of the Toulon fleet, which I had 
had frequent opportunities of seeing manoeuvre 
in the presence of our fleet. He begged I would 
tell him frankly what I thought of it. 

The conscripts were trained or exercised for 
two years in schooners and small craft, and his 
best officers and seamen were appointed to 
command them. They were constantly at sea, 
either to protect the coasting trade or for 
exercising. He had not calculated on their 
becoming perfect seamen by these means, but 
had intended to send squadrons out to the East 
and West Indies, not for the purpose of attacking 
the colonies, but for perfecting the men, and 
annoying, at the same time, the commerce of 
England. 1 He calculated upon losing some 
ships, but said he could spare them ; that they 
would be well paid for. 

While on this subject, he surprised me by 
explaining to Baron Koller, and that very well, 
a very nice point of seamanship, viz., that of 
keeping a ship clear of her anchor in a tideway. 
He admired much the regularity with which the 

1 He pursued these plans after Trafalgar. See my article 
in the Independent Review for November, 1905. — J. H. R. 



64 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

duty of the ship was carried on, everything being 
so well timed, and, above all, the respect observed 
by different ranks of officers to one another and 
to the quarter-deck. He thought this most 
essential to good discipline, and was not surprised 
that we were so jealous of the slightest deviation 
from it. He said that he endeavoured to intro- 
duce this into the French navy, but could not 
drive it into the heads of his captains. 

The wind still continuing to the eastward, with 
a heavy sea, we stood in to get well within the 
Corsican shore. Having carried away the leech- 
ropes of the fore- and maintopsails, we repaired 
them aloft, close reefed them, and sent down 
topgallant-yards and royalmasts. There now 
being every appearance of bad weather, I men- 
tioned my intention, if the gale increased, of 
anchoring at Bastia. Napoleon seemed most 
desirous that we should anchor at Ajaccio. I 
explained to him that it was much out of our 
course. He proposed Calvi, with which he was 
perfectly acquainted, mentioning the depth of 
water, with other remarks on the harbour, &c, 
which convinced me that he would have made us 
an excellent pilot had we touched there. 1 

1 Bonaparte was brought up among Corsican sailors. At 
the military school at Brienne, in eastern France, he was 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 65 

This evening we fell in and exchanged numbers 
with the Berwick, Aigle, and Alcmene, with a 
convoy. I invited Sir John Lewis and Captain 
Coghlan to dine with me. When they came on 
board I presented them to Napoleon ; he asked 
them various questions about their ships, their 
sailing and other qualities. Captain Coghlan was 
not a little surprised by his asking him if he were 
not an Irishman and a Roman Catholic. All this 
night we carried sail to get inshore, the Aigle 
and Alcmene keeping company. At daylight we 
saw the town of Calvi bearing south. Napoleon 
was on deck earlier than usual ; he seemed in 
high spirits, looked most earnestly at the shore, 
asking the officers questions relative to landing- 
places, &c. As we closed with the shore the 
wind moderated. During the bad weather 
Napoleon remained constantly on deck, and 
was not in the least affected by the motion of the 
ship. This was not the case, however, with his 
attendants, who suffered a good deal. 

The wind now coming off the land, we hauled 
close inshore. Napoleon took great delight in 
examining it with his glass, and told us many 

at first recommended for the navy ; and only a chance 
circumstance led to the change of this plan. See Chuquet, 
" La Jeunesse de Napoleon" (Brienne), p. 137. — J. H. R. 

5 



66 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

anecdotes of his younger days. We rounded a 
bold, rocky cape, within two or three cables'- 
lengths, and Napoleon, addressing himself to 
Baron Koller, said he thought a walk on shore 
would do them good, and proposed landing to 
explore the cliffs. The Baron whispered that he 
knew him too well to trust him on such an ex- 
cursion, and begged me not to listen to his 
suggestion. 

We now hauled in toward the Gulf of St. 
Florent, fired a gun, and brought to a felucca 
from Genoa, who informed us that Sir Edward 
Pellew, the commander-in-chief, and fleet were 
lying there. We then shaped our course for 
Cape Corso, which we passed in the night. In 
the morning we tacked, and stood toward Capraja 
Isle, and, observing colours flying at the castle, 
stood close in and hove to. A deputation came 
off from the island, requesting me to take posses- 
sion of it, and informing me that there was a 
French garrison in the castle. I accordingly sent 
Lieutenant Smith with a party of seamen to hoist 
the British colours for its protection. Napoleon 
held a long conversation with the members of the 
deputation, who expressed the utmost surprise at 
finding their Emperor on board an English man- 
of-war. Having now made all sail, and shaped 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 67 

our course for Elba, Napoleon became very 
impatient to see it, and asked if we had every 
sail set. I told him we had set all that could be 
of any use. He said, "Were you in chase of an 
enemy's frigate, should you make more sail ? " 
I looked, and, seeing that the starboard top- 
gallant stunsail was not set, observed that if I 
were in chase of an enemy I should certainly 
carry it. He replied, that if it could be of use 
in that case, it might be so now. I mention this 
anecdote to show what a close observer he was ; 
in fact, nothing escaped him. When the man 
stationed at the masthead hailed the deck that 
Elba was right ahead, he became exceedingly 
impatient, went forward to the forecastle, and 
as soon as the land could be seen from the deck 
was very particular in inquiring what colours 
were flying on the batteries. He seemed to 
doubt the garrison's having given in their ad- 
hesion to the Bourbons, and, it appears, not 
without some reason, as they had, in fact, done 
so only during the preceding forty-eight hours ; 
so that, if we had had a fair wind, I should have 
found the island in the hands of the enemy, and 
consequently must have taken my charge to the 
commander-in-chief, 1 who would, no doubt, have 
1 That is, Sir Edward Pellew, then at Genoa. — J. H. R. 



68 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

ordered us to England. On nearing Elba, 
General Drouot, Comte Clam (aide-de-camp to 
Prince Schwarzenberg), and Lieutenant Hastings, 
the first lieutenant of the Undaunted, were sent 
ashore, commissioned by Napoleon to take pos- 
session of the island. Colonel Campbell accom- 
panied them. They were conducted to the house 
of General Dalheme, who had received orders 
from the provisional Government only two days 
before, in consequence of which he and his troops 
had given in their adhesion to Louis XVIII., 
and had hoisted the white flag. The general 
expressed his desire to do whatever should be 
agreeable to the Emperor. 

May 3, 1814. — One part of Drouot's instruc- 
tions from Napoleon mentioned his desire to 
receive the names of all officers, non-commis- 
sioned officers, and privates who would wish to 
enter into his service. He desired also a deputa- 
tion of the principal inhabitants to come off to 
him. About 8 p.m. we anchored at the entrance 
to the harbour, and soon after the deputation 
waited upon Napoleon. There had been originally 
about 3,000 troops, but the desertion and the dis- 
charge of discontented foreigners had reduced the 
number to about joo. The island had been in a 
state of revolt for several weeks, in consequence 




o ^ 



^Tws^'fnr^ 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 69 

of which the troops were shut up in the fortifica- 
tions which surrounded the town of Porto Ferrajo. 

During the night an Austrian officer was sent 
off in one of my boats to Piombino, to invite a 
renewal of communication and to obtain news, 
&c. z This was done by a letter r rom the com- 
missioners to the commandant, who, however, 
politely declined communication with us, at the 
same time stating that he had written to his 
superior for his permission to do so. 

May 4. — Napoleon was on deck at daylight, 
and talked for two hours with the harbour-master, 
who had come on board to take charge of the 
ship as pilot, questioning him minutely about the 
anchorage, fortifications, &c. At six we weighed 
anchor, and made sail into the harbour ; anchored 
at half-past six at the Mole Head, hoisted out all 
the boats, and sent some of the baggage on shore. 
At eight the Emperor asked me for a boat, as he 
intended to take a walk on the opposite side of 
the bay, and requested me to go with him. He 
wore a great-coat and a round hat. Comte 
Bertrand, Colonel Campbell, and Colonel Vincent 
(chief engineer) went with us ; Baron Koller 

1 Piombino, formerly an appanage to the Principality of 
Lucca held by Elisa Bonaparte, was now occupied by the 
Austrians. — J. H. R. 



70 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

declined doing so. When half-way ashore 
Napoleon remarked that he was without a 
sword, and soon afterward asked if the peasants 
of Tuscany were addicted to assassination. 1 We 
walked for about two hours. The peasants, 
taking us for Englishmen, cried, " Viva / " 
which seemed to displease him. 

We returned on board to breakfast. He after- 
ward fixed upon a flag for Elba, requesting me to 
remain while he did so. He had a book with all 
the ancient and modern flags of Tuscany ; he 
asked my opinion of that which he had chosen. 
It was a white flag with a red band running 
diagonally through it, with three bees on the 
band (the bees were in his arms as emperor of 
France). He then requested me to allow the 
ship's tailor to make two, one of them to be 
hoisted on the batteries at one o'clock. At 
2 p.m. the barge was manned ; he begged me to 
show him the way down the side of the vessel, 
which I did, and was soon followed by the 
Emperor, Baron Roller, Comte Bertrand, and 

1 It is curious that the first question Napoleon asked of 
Sir Hudson Lowe at St. Helena was whether the Corsicans 
were not bad people, addicted to the use of the dagger. The 
Emperor always had a poor opinion of the Italians, including 
those of his native isle. — J. H. R. 




ARRIVAL OF NAPOLEON AT ELBA. 



i i ?age 70. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 71 

Comte Clam. The yards being manned, we 
fired a royal salute, as did two French corvettes 
which were lying in the harbour at that time. 
The ship was surrounded by boats with the 
principal inhabitants and bands of music on 
board ; the air resounded with shouts of " Vive 
£ Empereur ! Vive Napoleon ! " On landing, he 
was received by the prefect, the clergy, and all 
the authorities, and the keys were presented to 
him on a plate, upon which he made a com- 
plimentary speech to the prefect, the people 
welcoming him with loud acclamations. 

We proceeded to the church through a double 
file of soldiers, and thence to the hotel de ville, 
where the principal inhabitants were assembled, 
with several of whom he conversed. Remarking- 
an old soldier in the crowd (he was a sergeant, 
I believe, and wore the order of the Legion of 
Honour), he called him to him, and recollected 
having given him that decoration on the field 
of battle at Eylau. 1 The old soldier shed tears ; 
the idea of being remembered by his Emperor 
fairly overcame him. He felt, I doubt not, that 
it was the proudest day of his life. Napoleon 

1 For Napoleon's wonderful memory of faces and incidents, 
seeChaptal (" Mes Souvenirs sur Napoleon," p. 337), who says, 
" Napoleon avait toute son armee dans sa tete." — J. H. R. 



72 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

afterward mounted a horse, and, attended by a 
dozen persons, visited some of the outworks, 
having, before leaving the ship, invited me to 
dine with him at seven o'clock. I ordered all 
my wine and stock to be handed to him for his 
use, the island being destitute of provisions of 
that sort. 

May 5. — At 4 a.m. I was awakened by shouts 
of " Vive r Empereur ! " and by drums beating ; 
Napoleon was already up, and going on foot over 
the fortifications, magazines, and storehouses. 
At ten he returned to breakfast, and at two 
mounted his horse, and I accompanied him two 
leagues into the country. He examined various 
country-houses, and gave money to all the poor 
we met on the road. At seven he returned to 
dinner. I should remark that, before leaving the 
Undaunted, Napoleon requested that a party of 
fifty marines might accompany him, and remain 
on shore ; but this he afterward changed to an 
officer and two sergeants, one of whom, O'Gorum 
(one of the bravest and best soldiers I ever met, 
and to whom the Emperor had taken a great 
fancy), he selected to sleep on a mattress outside 
the door of his bedchamber, with his clothes and 
sword on. A valet de chambre slept on another 
mattress in the same place, and if Napoleon lay 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 73 

down during the day, the sergeant remained in 
the antechamber. 

May 6. — At 6 a.m., we crossed the bay in my 
barge, and found horses waiting for us. We 
rode to Rion to see the famous iron mountains. 
We visited several mines, and likewise a temple 
built by the ancients, and dedicated by them to 
Jupiter. 1 The road to the latter is highly 
romantic and beautiful, but is difficult of access, 
being situated on the summit of a steep and 
lofty mountain. This obliged us to dismount, 
and we walked through a thick covert of 
beautiful trees and shrubs till we arrived at the 
temple. We saw also a small museum very 
nicely kept, which contained many fine speci- 
mens of the ores of the adjoining mines, two 
or three of which Napoleon presented to me. 
He expressed a wish to see the principal mine, 
and, when everything was prepared, asked Baron 
Koller, me, and one or two of the party to 
accompany him. The others politely declined ; 
I, however, accepted his invitation. Two guides 
with torches accompanied us. 

1 Virgil calls Ilva (Elba)— 

" Insula inexhaustis Chalybum generosa metallis." 

(JEn. x. 173). 

In 1 814 the iron mines yielded 500,000 francs to the revenue 
(Sir Neil Campbell's "Journal," p. 253). — J. H. R. 



74 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

When we arrived at the middle of what ap- 
peared to be an immense cavern, the guides 
suddenly struck the ground with their torches, 
and all the cave became instantly and splendidly 
illuminated. At the moment I expected an ex- 
plosion ; Napoleon may have thought so too, 
but he very coolly took a pinch of snuff, and 
desired me to follow him. 

At Rion the "Te Deum " was chanted, I 
suppose for the first time, as the officiating priest 
did not seem to understand his business. In 
passing through Rion a salute was fired, and 
Napoleon was received with loud acclamations 
of " Vive I Empereur ! " The people seemed 
very anxious to see him : several old women pre- 
sented petitions, and numbers pressed forward to 
kiss his hand. At five we embarked in the 
barge, and crossed the harbour to Porto Ferrajo. 
At seven we sat down to dinner. He spoke of 
his intention of taking possession of Pianosa, 
a small island without inhabitants, about ten 
miles from Elba. He said, "All Europe will 
say that I have already made a conquest." l 
Already he had plans in agitation for conveying 

1 "Toute FEurope dira que j'ai deja fait une conquete." 
In the middle of May, Napoleon sent some troops to annex 
Pianosa. See Sir Neil Campbell's " Journal," p. 233. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 75 

water from the mountains to the city. It appears 
always to have been considered by him of the first 
importance to have a supply of good water for 
the inhabitants of towns, and upon this occasion 
it was evidently the first thing that occupied his 
mind, having, almost immediately after arrival, 
requested me to go with him in the barge in 
search of water. 1 

One day, exploring for this purpose, he re- 
marked the boats of the Undaunted getting water 
in a small creek ; he said he was quite sure that 
good water was to be found there. I asked him 
why he thought so. He said, " Depend upon it, 
sailors know where to find the best. There are 
no better judges." We landed at this place, as 
he desired to taste the water > Jack made the 
rim of his hat into what is called a " cocked hat," 
and filled it with water. Napoleon was amused 
at the contrivance, tasted the water, and pro- 
nounced it excellent. The channeling of the 
streets he also thought of the greatest im- 
portance, and requested me to allow the 
carpenter of the ship to go to him (having 
learned he was a tolerably good engineer), that 
he might consult him about forcing the sea-water 

1 For his eager resolve to supply Paris with good water, see 
Chaptal, "Mes Souvenirs sur Napoleon," p. 358. — J. H. R. 



76 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

by means of pumps to the summit of the hill. 
I believe he afterward abandoned his sea-water 
plan, which would have been attended with great 
expense. He had plans also for a palace and 
a country-house, and a house for Princess 
Pauline, stables, a lazaretto, and a quaran- 
tine ground. About the latter he asked my 
opinion. 

May 7. — Napoleon was employed visiting the 
town and fortifications. After breakfast he again 
embarked in the barge, and visited the different 
storehouses round the harbour. In making ex- 
cursions into the country he was accompanied 
by a dozen officers and the captain of the gen- 
darmerie ; and one of the fourriers de palais 
always went before, and sometimes a party of 
gendarmes a pied. 

After taking our places in the barge, some of 
the party keeping their hats off, he desired them 
to put them on, remarking, " We are together 
here as soldiers." x The fishing for the tunny is 
carried on here by one of the richest inhabitants, 
who from poverty has amassed a large fortune ; 
he employs a great number of the poor, and has 
considerable influence. The removal of his stores 
to a very inferior building, to make way for a 
1 " Nous somraes ici ensemble en soldats." 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 77 

stable for the Emperor's horses, is likely to 
give great offence. 1 

May 8. — The Curapoa, Captain Towers, arrived 
here with Mr. Locker, secretary to Sir Edward 
Pellew, commander-in-chief. He requested an 
audience to present to the Emperor a copy of the 
treaty of peace. Napoleon received Mr. Locker 
very graciously, and seemed to read the treaty 
with deep interest ; Baron Roller, Comte 
Bertrand, Drouot, General Dalheme, Colonel 
Campbell, Captain Towers, and I were present. 
Having- read and folded it, he returned it to Mr. 
Locker, expressing his obligations to the com- 
mander-in-chief. 

May 9. — Baron Koller, having demanded an 
audience, took leave of the Emperor, and em- 
barked in the Curapoa for Genoa. This day 
I accompanied Napoleon to Longone, where 
we lunched amid repeated cries of Vive 
r Empereur ! " 

Longone is a place of considerable strength ; 
the works are regular, the bay is small, but there 
is a safe anchorage within. Many old people 
presented petitions, the girls brought flowers, 
which he accepted with much condescension, 

1 For this and other causes of offence, see Neil Campbell's 
"Journal," p. 279.— J. H. R. 



78 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

talking to all, but particularly to those that were 
pretty. A young lad fell on his knees before 
him, either to ask charity or merely as a mark 
of respect ; he turned to Colonel Campbell and 
said, "Ah! I know the Italians well; it is the 
education of the monks. One does not see that 
among the northern people." l On proceeding 
a little farther we met two well-dressed young 
women, who saluted him with compliments. One 
of them, the youngest, told him with great ease 
and gaiety that she had been invited to the ball 
at Longone two days before, but as the Emperor 
did not attend it, as was expected, she had re- 
mained at home. 

Instead of returning by the same road, he 
turned off by goat-paths, to examine the coast, 
humming Italian airs, which he does very often, 
and seemed quite in spirits. He expressed his 
fondness for music, and remarked that this re- 
minded him of passing Mont St. Bernard, and of 
a conversation he had had with a young peasant 
upon that occasion. The man, he said, not 
knowing what he was, spoke freely of the happi- 
ness of those who possessed a good house 
and a number of cattle, &c. He made him 

1 " Ah ! je connais bien les Italiens ; c'est education des 
moines. On ne voit pas cela parmi le peuple du nord." 



NAPOLEOJSTS DEPORTATION TO ELBA 79 

enumerate his greatest wants and desires, and 
afterward sent for him and gave him all that he 
had described ; " That cost me 60,000 francs." J 

May 10. — Napoleon rode to the top of the 
highest hill above Porto Ferrajo, whence we 
could perceive the sea from four different points, 
and apparently not an English mile in a straight 
line in any direction from the spot where we 
stood. After surveying it for some time, he 
turned round and laughed, " Eh, my isle is very 
small." 2 On the top of this hill is a small 
chapel, and a house where a hermit had resided 
until his death. Some one remarked that it 
would require more than common devotion to 
induce persons to attend service there. "Yes, 
yes ; the priest can say as much nonsense as 
he wishes." 3 

On the evening of the ninth, after his return 
from Longone, he entered upon the subject of 
the armies and their operations at the close of 
the last campaign, and continued it for half an 
hour, until he rose from table. After passing 

1 " Cela m'a coute 60,000 francs." 

2 " Eh, mon ile est bien petite." 

3 " Oui, oui ; le pretre peut dire autant des betises qu'il 
veut." This might be cited as proof of Napoleon's complete 
indifference to Roman Catholicism save as a political force. — 
J. H. R. 



80 NAPOLEOJSTS LAST VOYAGES 

into the presence-chamber, the conversation 
again turned on the campaign, his own policy, 
the Bourbons, &c, and he continued talking with 
great animation till midnight, remaining on his 
legs for three hours. He described the opera- 
tions against the allies as always in his favour 
while the numbers were in any sort of proportion ; 
that in one affair against the Prussians, who were 
infinitely the best, he had only 700 infantry en 
tir'alleurs, with 2,000 cavalry and three battalions 
of his guards in reserve, against double their 
number. The instant these old soldiers showed 
themselves, the affair was decided. 

He praised General Blucher : " The old devil 
has always attacked me with the same vigour ; 
if he was beaten, an instant afterward he was 
ready again for the combat." l He then de- 
scribed his last march from Arcis to Brienne ; 
said that he knew Schwarzenberg would not 
stand to fight him, and that he hoped to destroy 
half his army. Upon his retreat, he had already 
taken an immense quantity of baggage and 
guns. 2 When it was reported to him that the 

1 " Le vieux diable m'a toujours attaque avec la meme 
vigueur ; s'il etait battu, un instant apres il se rencontrait pret 
pour le combat." 

2 Napoleon's sudden march eastwards towards Chatillon- 
sur-Seine on March 20-24, I 8i4, was with the aim of cutting 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 81 

enemy had crossed the Aube to Vitry, he was 
induced to halt ; he would not, however, credit 
it till General Gerard assured him that he saw 
20,000 infantry. He was overjoyed at this 
assurance, and immediately returned to St. 
Dizier, where he attacked Wintzingerode's 
cavalry, which he considered the advance-guard 
of Schwarzenberg's army ; drove them before 
him a whole day, like sheep, at full gallop, took 
1,500 or 2,000 prisoners, and some light pieces 
of artillery, but, to his surprise, did not see any 
army, and again halted. His best information 
led him to believe that they had returned to 
Troyes. Accordingly he marched in that 
direction, and then ascertained, after a loss of 
three days, that the armies of Schwarzenberg 
and Bliicher had marched upon Paris. 1 He then 
ordered forced marches, and went forward him- 
self (with his suite and carriages) on horseback 
night and day. Never were he and his friends 
more gay and confident. He knew, he said, all 
the workmen of Paris would fight for him. What 

the communications of the allies and detaching the Austrians 
from the coalition. See proofs in my " Napoleonic Studies," 
pp. 264-270. — J. H. R. 

1 Much of this is incorrect. Schwarzenberg did not march 
towards Paris with Bliicher. It was the armies of Bliicher 
and Biilow that occupied the capital. — J. H. R. 

6 



82 NAPOLEONS LAST VOYAGES 

could the allies do with such a force? The 
national guards had only to barricade the streets 
with casks, and it would be impossible for the 
enemy to advance before he arrived to their 
assistance. At 8 a.m., a few leagues from Paris, 
he met a column of stragglers, who stared at 
him, and he at them. " What does this mean ? " ! 
he demanded. They stopped and seemed 
stupefied : " What ! it is the Emperor ! " 2 They 
informed him that they had retreated through 
Paris ; he was still confident of success. His 
army burned with desire to attack the enemy 
and to drive them out of the capital. He knew 
very well what Schwarzenberg would risk, and 
the composition of the allied army compared 
with his own ; that Schwarzenberg never would 
hazard a general battle with Paris in his rear, 
but would take a defensive position on the other 
side. He himself would have engaged the 
enemy at various points for two or three hours, 
then have marched with his 30 battalions of 
guards and 80 pieces of cannon, himself at the 
head, upon one part of their force. Nothing 
could have withstood that ; and although his 
inferiority of numbers would not have enabled 

1 " Qu'est-ce que c'est que cela? " 

2 " Quoi ! c'est PEmpereur ! " 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 83 

him to hope for a complete victory, yet he should 
have succeeded in killing a great number of the 
enemy and in forcing them to abandon Paris and 
its neighbourhood. What he would afterward 
have done must have depended on various cir- 
cumstances. Who could have supposed that the 
senate would have dishonoured themselves by 
assembling under the force of 20,000 foreign 
bayonets (a timidity unexampled in history), and 
that a man who owed everything to him — who 
had been his aide-de-camp, and attached to him 
for twenty years — would have betrayed him ! * 
Still, it was only a fraction which ruled Paris 
under the influence of the enemy's force ; the 
rest of the nation was for him. The army would, 
almost to a man, have continued to fight for him, 
but with so great an inferiority in point of num- 
bers that it would have been certain destruction 
to many of his friends and a war for years. He 
preferred, therefore, to sacrifice his own rights. 

1 This was Marmont, Duke of Ragusa, who marched his 
division, some 12,000 strong, into the allied lines near 
Essonne. The French troops afterwards coined the verb 
raguser — i.e., "to betray." The Duke of Wellington thought 
that, previous to Marmont's defection, Napoleon's chances 
of winning a victory over the allies near Paris were by no 
means desperate. See Stanhope's " Conversations with the 
Duke of Wellington," p. 8.— J. H. R. 



84 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

It was not for the sake of a crown that he had 
continued the war ; it was for the glory of 
France, and not for the sake of plans which he 
saw no prospect of realising. He had wished 
to make France the first nation in the world ; 
now it was at an end. " I have abdicated ; at 
present I am a dead man ! " I He repeated the 
latter phrase several times. In remarking on his 
confidence in his own troops and the Old Guard, 
and on the want of union among the allies, he 
referred to Colonel Campbell to say candidly 
if it were not so. Colonel Campbell told him 
it was ; that he had never seen any considerable 
portion of the French army, but every one spoke 
of the Emperor and his Old Guard as if there 
was something more than human about them. 
Napoleon said that the inferiority which he 
conceived of Schwarzenberg's army was justly 
founded — it had no confidence in itself or in its 
allies ; each party thought he did too much, and 
his allies too little, and that they were half- 
beaten before they closed with the French. He 
sneered at Marmont's anxiety for his life : " Was 
there ever anything so artless as that capitula- 
tion ? " 2 Marmont wished to protect his person, 

1 " J'ai abdique ; a. present je suis un homme mort ! " 

2 " Fut-il jamais rien si naif que cette capitulation ? " 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 85 

but deserted, leaving him and the whole of his 
comrades open to the surprise of the enemy ; for 
it was his corps which covered the whole front. 
The night previous Marmont said to him, " I 
answer for my corps d'arm^e." l So he might. 
The officers and soldiers were enraged when 
they found what had been done — 8,000 infantry, 
3,000 cavalry, and 60 pieces of cannon. " Voila 
rkistoire ! " He animadverted on Marmont's 
conduct before Paris, saying, "Who ever heard 
of such a thing — two hundred pieces of artillery 
in the Champs de Mars and only sixty on the 
heights of Montmartre ! " General Dalheme 
asked if he had not fought with vigour. 2 

This was nearly all that passed at that time. 
After accompanying him into another room, he 
resumed the conversation, enlarging upon the 
general state of his army and the policy of 
France. He seemed to repent his abdication, 

1 " Pour mon corps d'armee j'en reponds." 

2 It has generally been recognised that Marmont and 
Mortier made a creditable defence of Paris on the side of 
Montmartre. The city was largely disaffected, and there were 
no regular fortifications. As to the disposition of the cannon, 
Napoleon had been misinformed. For the dispositions of the 
French on March 30, 18 14, see Houssaye, " 18 14," pp. 484-6. 
There were certainly 80 cannon on Montmartre. The 
defenders numbered 42,000 men, while the allies had in 
all about 111,000. — J. H. R. 



86 NAPOLEON S LAST VOYAGES 

and said that had he known that it was owing 
only to the treachery of Augereau that his army 
fell back behind Lyons, he would have united his 
own to it even after Marmont's capitulation. 1 
He animadverted strongly upon the conduct of 
Augereau, yet he met him with all the kindness 
of a friend. The first idea of his defection struck 
him after separating from him on the road 
between Valence and Lyons. The spirit of the 
troops was such that he durst not remain among 
them, for on his arrival many old soldiers and 
officers came up to him weeping, and said they 
had been betrayed by Augereau, and requested 
Napoleon to put himself at their head. He had 
an army of 30,000 fine men, many of them from 
the army of Spain, which ought to have kept its 
ground against the Austrians. He again spoke 
of Marmont's defection, saying that it was re- 
ported to him in the morning, but that he did 
not believe it ; that he rode out and met Berthier, 
who confirmed it from an undoubted source. He 
referred to the armistice between Lord Castle- 
reagh and Talleyrand, saying that he thought 

1 Whether Augereau was guilty of treachery or only of 
extreme slackness at and near Lyons is not fully proven. 
The marshal was aged, and had never been himself since his 
severe wound at Eylau (1S07). — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON' S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 87 

the allies were pursuing a bad policy with regard 
to France by reducing her so much, for it 
would wound the pride of every man there. 1 
They might have left her much more power 
without any risk of seeing her again on an 
equality with several other powers. 

France had no longer any fleet or colonies ; 
a peace would not restore ships or San Domingo. 
Poland no longer existed, nor Venice ; these 
went to aggrandise Russia and Austria. Spain, 
which is the natural enemy of Great Britain, 
more so than of France, was incapable of doing 
anything as an ally. If to these sacrifices were 
added that of a disadvantageous treaty of com- 
merce with Great Britain, the people of France 
would not remain tranquil under it, " not even 
six months after the foreign powers have quitted 
Paris." 2 He then remarked that a month had 
already elapsed, and the King of France had 
not yet come over to the people who had placed 
him on the throne. He said England now would 
do as she pleased ; the other powers were nothing 

1 The return of France to the "ancient limits," those of 
1 791, was decided, not by the Treaty of Fontainebleau (April 
11, 1814), but by the Treaty of Paris (May 30, 1814). — 
J. H. R. 

2 " Pas meme six mois apres que les puissances £trangeres 
quitterent Paris." 



88 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

in comparison. " For twenty years at least no 
power can make war against England, and she 
will do as she wishes." 1 Holland would be 
entirely subservient to her. The armistice gave 
no information as to the ships at Antwerp or in 
the Texel. " The brave Verhuel continues to 
defend himself." 2 (This admiral commanded 
the ships at Antwerp.) He then enumerated 
the ships he had in each of the ports, saying 
that in three or four years he would have had 
three hundred sail of the line — "What a diffe- 
rence for France ! " 3 with many other remarks in 
the same strain. 

Colonel Campbell remarked, " But we do not 
know why your Majesty wishes to annihilate 
us." He laughed and replied, "If I had been 
minister of England, I would have tried to 
make her the greatest power in the world." 4 
Napoleon frequently spoke of the invasion of 

1 " Pour vingt annees au moins aucune puissance ne peut 
faire guerre contre l'Angleterre, et elle fera ce qu'elle veut." 

2 " Le brave Verhuel se defend toujours." 

3 " Quelle difference pour la France." 

* "Si j'avais ete ministre d'Angleterre, j'aurais tache d'en 
faire la plus grande puissance du monde." It is said that in 
1794 Napoleon was on the point of offering his services to 
the British East India Company; but there seems to be no 
documentary proof of this. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 89 

England ; that he never intended to attempt it 
without a superiority of fleet to protect the 
flotilla. This superiority would have been at- 
tained for a few days by leading ours out to 
the West Indies, and suddenly returning. If 
the French fleet arrived in the Channel three 
or four days before ours, it would be sufficient. 
The flotilla would immediately push out, accom- 
panied by the fleet, and the landing might take 
place on any part of the coast, as he would march 
direct to London. He preferred the coast of 
Kent, but that must have depended on wind 
and weather ; he would have placed himself at 
the disposal of naval officers and pilots, to land 
the troops wherever they thought they could do 
so with the greatest security and in the least 
time. He had 1,000,000 men, and each of the 
flotilla had boats to land them ; artillery and 
cavalry would soon have followed, and the whole 
could have reached London in three days. He 
armed the flotilla merely to lead us to suppose 
that he intended it to fight its way across the 
Channel; it was only to deceive us. 1 It was 

1 See Introduction, pp. 15, 16. Of course the "1,000,000 
men " refer to the total forces of the French Empire. The 
"Army of England " encamped at and near Boulogne numbered 
about 120,000 men. It is quite certain that at first, in 1803, 



9o NAPOLEON 'S LAST VOYAGES 

observed that we expected to be treated with 
great severity in case of his succeeding, and he 
was asked what he would have done had he 
arrived in London. He said it was a difficult 
question to answer ; for a people with spirit 
and energy, like the English, was not to be 
subdued even by taking the capital. He would 
certainly have separated Ireland from Great 
Britain, and the occupying of the capital would 
have been a death-blow to our funds, credit, 
and commerce. He asked me to say frankly 
whether we were not alarmed at his preparation 
for invading England. 

He entered into a long conversation with 
Comte Drouot, who was with Admiral Ville- 
neuve in the action with Sir Robert Calder, and 
said that Villeneuve was not wanting either in 
zeal or talents, but was impressed with a great 
idea of the British navy. After the action, he 
was entreated by all the officers to pursue the 
British squadron and to renew the action. 
Napoleon said that about the end of the cam- 
paign of 1804, before England had seized the 

he believed that the flotilla of armed vessels and small boats 
could fight its way across. But the advice of his admirals 
finally convinced him that the convoy of a fleet was necessary. 
Hence the elaborate naval schemes of 1 804-1 805. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 91 

Spanish galleons, and before he had obtained 
from Spain an entire and frank co-operation, 
having then no auxiliary but the Dutch, he 
wished to run the Toulon fleet through the 
Straits, unite it to six sail of the line at 
Rochefort, and to the Brest fleet, which con- 
sisted of twenty-three sail of the line, and with 
this combined force to appear before Boulogne, 
there to be joined by the Dutch fleet, thus 
securing the passage and landing of his troops. 
He said he was diverted from his intentions by 
the Austrians. 1 

At the death of Admiral de la Touche- 
Treville, one of his ablest admirals, Villeneuve 
was appointed commander-in-chief at Toulon, 
and hoisted his flag on the Btuentaure.' 2 His 
squadron consisted of four 80-gun ships, eight 
74-gun ships, six frigates, and 7,000 troops. 
On March 30, 1805, Admiral Villeneuve sailed 
from Toulon, and on April 7 was before Car- 
thagena, waiting a reinforcement of six Spanish 

1 The action between Calder and Villeneuve took place off 
Cape Finisterre on July 22, 1805. Not till August 22-29 did 
Austria's preparations cause him seriously to consider the 
abandonment of his projects of invasion of England. This is 
made quite clear by his letter written on those days. — J. H. R. 

2 La Touche-Treville died at Toulon on August 20, 1804. — 
J. H. R. 



92 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

sail of the line. These ships not being ready, 
he pursued his course about the middle of April, 
appeared before Gibraltar, and chased Sir John 
Orde, who, with five sail of the line, was before 
Cadiz. 

Admiral Villeneuve was joined by a seventy- 
four and two corvettes, and by Admiral Gra- 
vina with six sail of the line and 2,000 troops, 
making eighteen sail of the line in all. May 9, 
Villeneuve opened his sealed orders, and gave 
Admiral Gravina his instructions, which were 
to separate with his squadron, reinforce the 
garrison of Porto Rico and Havana, and re- 
join him at a prescribed rendezvous. Ville- 
neuve anchored at Martinique on May 14, and 
heard that Admiral Missiessy had just left the 
West Indies. Missiessy sailed from Rochefort 
June 11, his squadron consisting of six sail of 
the line, three frigates, and 3,000 troops, his 
flag-ship being the Majestueux. 1 

Napoleon said he was visiting the fortresses 
on the Rhine when he wrote the orders for 

1 This account is correct in nearly all particulars, but 
Missiessy sailed from Rochefort on January 11, 1805, not 
June 11. For Napoleon's powers of memory, see Lord 
Holland, "Foreign Reminiscences," pp. 272-3, and Chaptal, 
" Souvenirs," pp. 334-6. — J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 93 

these expeditions — the first to reinforce Mar- 
tinique and Guadaloupe, and to take Dominica 
and St. Lucia ; the second to take Surinam 
and its dependencies, and to strengthen San 
Domingo ; the third to St. Helena. 1 It was 
before he quitted Milan to visit the depart- 
ments of the East that he learned of the 
return of the Rochefort squadron. He blamed 
the precipitation with which Dominica had been 
abandoned. 2 He saw in this fortunate cruise 
the advantage he had gained ; he felicitated 
himself in having concealed the secret of the 
destination of Villeneuve ; still, he was uneasy 
about Nelson. In his despatch written at the 
moment of his departure from Milan he said : 
" It is uncertain what Nelson intends doing. 
It is very possible that the English, having 
sent a strong squadron to the East Indies, 

1 Napoleon's orders for these expeditions were written on 
September 29, 1804, at Mainz (Mayence). See Napoleon 
" Correspondance," vol. ix., No. 8060. Surinam, in Dutch 
Guiana, fell to a British force in May, 1804. See James, 
"Naval History," vol. iii. p. 297. — J. H. R. 

2 General Lagrange, with the troops on board Missiessy's 
squadron, took part of the island of Dominica, but, failing 
to reduce Prince Rupert Fort, sailed away (February, 1805). 
See James, "Naval History," vol. iv. p. 79, and Napoleon, 
"Correspondance," No. 8846, vol. x. (June 6, 1805). — 
J. H. R. 



94 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

have ordered Nelson to America. I am, how- 
ever, of the opinion that he is still in Europe ; 
the most natural supposition is that he has re- 
turned to England to refit, and to turn his men 
over to other vessels, as some of his ships need 
docking." J He impressed on the mind of the 
Minister of Marine the importance he attached 
to Villeneuve's having- the means of victualling- 
the fleet at Ferrol. He said, with respect to 
the Rochefort squadron, that the English would 
no doubt send a squadron after them. " One 
must not calculate upon what it is the duty of the 
admiralty to do, with 100,000 men at Boulogne, 
seven sail of the line in the Texel, with an army 
of 30,000 men and a fleet of twenty-two sail of 
the line at Brest. It may happen that Ville- 
neuve will return suddenly ; but he might also 
direct his course to India or to Jamaica. What 
responsibility, then, weighs on the heads of the 
ministry if they allow months to pass without 
sending a force to protect the colonies ! It is 
scarcely probable that England can at any time 
assemble sixty-five sail of the line. Word must 
be sent to Villeneuve the moment he arrives 

1 These sentences occur in Napoleon's letter from Milan 
(June 9, 1805) to Vice-Admiral Decres, " Correspondance," 
vol. x., No. 8871.— J. H. R. 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 95 

at Ferrol, as nothing gives greater courage 
and clears the ideas so well as knowing the 
position of the enemy. 

"It is true that the English have in sail 
of the line, of which three are guard-ships, 
and sixteen prison-ships and hospitals. There 
remain, then, ninety-two, out of which twenty 
are undergoing repairs (that is, not ready for 
sea) ; there remain seventy-two, the disposition 
of which is, probably, eight or ten in India, three 
or four at Jamaica, three or four at Barbadoes, 
making fourteen or eighteen, leaving fifty-four 
or fifty-eight with which it is necessary to block- 
ade Cadiz, Ferrol, and Brest, and to follow 
Villeneuve and Missiessy. The following is the 
state of our force : Twenty-two at Brest, fifteen 
at Cadiz, twelve at Ferrol, twenty with Ville- 
neuve, one at Lorient, five with Missiessy — 
total seventy-five. The fifteen at Cadiz occupy 
only five English ; deduct ten from seventy-five, 
there remain sixty-five which could be united. 
It is scarcely possible that the English at any 
time can assemble sixty-five." 

Villeneuve, having sailed to the West Indies, 
was pursued by Nelson. He left the anchorage 
at Martinique on May 21, captured a convoy 
off Barbadoes, and another off the Azores, fell 



96 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

in with and captured a privateer, with a rich 
prize, a galleon. He was afterward reinforced 
by Admiral Magon de Clos-Dore\ with two sail 
of the line, and received from him instructions 
to proceed to Ferrol, where he could be rein- 
forced by five sail of the line under the command 
of Rear-Admiral Gourdon, and six sail of the 
line (Spaniards, under the command of Gran- 
delina), and a third squadron under the command 
of Rear-Admiral Lallemand, consisting of five 
sail of the line (formerly under the command 
of Missiessy). It was with this fleet of about 
forty sail of the line that Villeneuve, driving 
away Admiral Cornwallis from Brest, would 
necessarily open the passage for Admiral Gan- 
theaume, who had twenty-two sail of the line, 
and form at the entrance to the Channel sixty- 
two sail of the line, six 3-deckers, nine 80-gun 
ships, and forty-seven seventy-fours, for the 
purpose of covering the 2,283 transports of 
which the flotilla consisted. Such was Napoleon's 
plan, the execution of which was defeated by 
Villeneuve, who after the action with Sir Robert 
Calder, went into Vigo, landed his wounded, 
and, leaving three sail of the line there, ran 
into Corunna, where he was reinforced by six 
sail of the line (French), and ten sail of the 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 97 

line (Spanish), making thirty-one sail of the 
line. 1 

Napoleon was at Boulogne at that time, and 
learned from England the situations of the 
different squadrons. He ordered Gantheaume 
to anchor at Brest, and to be ready to join 
Villeneuve with the twenty-two sail of the line, 
three of them 3-deckers. August 21 Gan- 
theaume anchored in the bay. August 10, the 
wind being easterly, Villeneuve, having been 
reinforced by the French and Spanish squadrons 
under Gourdon, Gravina, and Grandelina, an- 
chored in the bay of Anas, near Ferrol, and 
put to sea. The 13th, nothing being then in 
sight, he first steered north-west, suddenly 
changed his course to the south, out of sight 
of land, cruised four days off St. Vincent, and 
entered Cadiz the 21st, the very day that he 
was expected at Brest. Lord Collingwood was 
before Cadiz with four sail of the line ; was 
surprised and narrowly escaped. 

While this was going on, Admiral Lallemand, 

1 For this battle of July 22, 1805, off Cape Finisterre, and 
Villeneuve's subsequent proceedings, see James, "Naval 
History," vol. iii. pp. 356-375; and Mahan, "Influence of 
Sea Power on the French Revolution and Empire," vol. ii. 
pp. 169-174. In the account given above Vigo is wrongly 
substituted for Ferrol. — J. H. R. 

7 



98 NAPOLEON* S LAST VOYAGES 

with four sail of the line, was cruising in the Bay 
of Biscay. His orders were to cruise for a certain 
period, then to wait in a particular latitude for 
orders, and, if none reached him, to proceed to 
Vigo, the 13th, in order to reinforce Villeneuve. 
He executed his orders punctually, and anchored 
on the 1 6th, two days after Villeneuve had sailed, 
who, although he expected this reinforcement, 
had left no orders for Lallemand, compromising 
by this extraordinary conduct the safety of the 
squadron. Lallemand, finding no orders, put to 
sea again, and cruised till December 24. He 
took a 50-gun ship, a sloop of war, and 
anchored at Rochefort the 24th of December. 
Napoleon was at Boulogne when he learned 
from England the certainty of Villeneuve's 
arrival at Cadiz. He was furious, saying, " It 
is treason." 

Villeneuve, before leaving Ferrol, said that he 
was going to Brest, and even wrote to Lallemand, 
who was to meet him at Vigo. Notwithstanding 
that he expected this squadron at Vigo, he passed 
the harbour without sending in. Napoleon 
ordered the Minister of Marine to make a report 
of these proceedings. 1 

1 Villeneuve's reason for sailing to Cadiz was that the wind 
was north-east, and that he heard that a superior British 



NAPOLEON S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 99 

May 26. — Napoleon had been so long expect- 
ing his troops, baggage, horses, &c., that he 
began at length to show signs of impatience, and 
to suspect the good faith of the French Govern- 
ment ; but when I informed him that our transports 
were engaged, and might shortly be expected at 
Elba, he seemed satisfied, complimented us on 
our generosity, and added that had he known 
that our ships were to bring his troops, he should 
not have had a moment's uneasiness. I dined 
with Napoleon the following day. While at table 
a servant announced one of my officers, who 
wished to see me. It was an officer whom I had 
stationed at a signal fort that I had established 
on a commanding height. He reported seven 
sail in the north-west quarter, standing toward the 
island. I had no doubt from the number of 

force was in front of him. His prudence has been generally 
censured. See Mahan, op. cit. vol. ii. p. 180. 

It must be admitted that the length of this conversation is 
suspicious. No date is assigned to it, and it seems to be a 
risumi of several talks. On May 17 Captain Ussher, with his 
ship the Undaunted, sailed from Elba to Frejus in order to 
bring back Princess Pauline Borghese {nie Bonaparte). See the 
"Journal" of Sir Neil Campbell, pp. 232, 236. It is strange 
that Ussher does not mention this circumstance. Perhaps 
the conversation was written down on that cruise. The 
Princess was brought from Villa Franca by a Neapolitan 
frigate.— J. H. R. 

UOFC. 



ioo NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

vessels, and the course that they were taking, 
that they were the long-expected transports. 

Napoleon almost immediately rose from the 
table, and I accompanied him to his garden, 
which with his house occupies the highest part 
of the works, and has a commanding view of the 
sea toward Italy and the coast of France. Full 
of anxiety, he stopped at the end of every turn, 
and looked eagerly for the vessels. We walked 
till it was quite dark ; he was very communica- 
tive, and his conversation highly interesting. It 
was now near midnight. I told him that with a 
good night-glass I should be able to see them ; 
for with the breeze they had they could not be 
very far from the island. He brought me a very 
fine night-glass, made by Donaldson, which 
enabled me to see the vessels distinctly. They 
were lying to. He was much pleased, and in the 
highest spirits wished me good-night. 

At four in the morning he was out again giving 
orders. I was awakened by the beating of drums 
and cries of " Vive fEmpereur /" He ordered 
the harbour-master and pilots out to the trans- 
ports, made arrangements for the comfort of his 
troops, and provided stables for one hundred 
horses. At about seven o'clock the troops 
were landed, and paraded before Napoleon, 



NAPOLEOISTS DEPORTATION TO ELBA 101 

who addressed every officer and private. They 
appeared delighted at seeing their Emperor again. 
Among the officers were several Poles, remark- 
ably fine young men. At eight o'clock I ordered 
half the crew of the Undaunted to be sent on 
board the transports, and by four o'clock the 
whole of the baggage, carriages, horses, &c, was 
landed, and the transports were ready for sea. 
During the entire operation Napoleon remained 
on the quay under an excessively hot sun. 

When I informed him that everything was 
landed, and that the transports were ready for 
sea, he expressed surprise, and said, pointing to 
some Italian sailors, "Those fellows would have 
been eight days doing what your men have done 
in so many hours ; besides, they would have 
broken my horses' legs, not one of which has 
received a scratch." General Cambronne, who 
came in command of the troops, remained in 
conversation with Napoleon the whole time. 1 At 
four the Emperor mounted his horse and rode 
into the country, and returned to dinner at seven. 
At half-past seven he rose from the table, and I 

1 Cambronne afterwards at Waterloo commanded a brigade 
of the Imperial Guard. He was credited (but it seems on 
insufficient grounds) with uttering the noble phrase " The 
Guard dies but does not surrender." — J. H. R. 



io2 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

accompanied him to his garden, where we walked 
till half-past eleven. It was during this conver- 
sation that I told him it was generally thought 
in England that he intended to rebuild Jerusalem, 
and that which gave rise to the supposition was 
his convoking of the Sanhedrim of the Jews at 
Paris. 1 He laughed, and said the Sanhedrim was 
convoked for other purposes ; it collected Jews 
who came from all parts of Europe, but par- 
ticularly from Poland, and from them he obtained 
information of the state of Poland. He added 
that they gave him much useful information, that 
they were well informed as to the real state of 
the country on every point, and possessed all the 
information he wanted, and which he was able to 
turn to account, and found to be perfectly correct. 
Great numbers came to Paris on that occasion, 
among them several Jews from England. 

In talking of his marshals, he seemed to regret 
that he had not allowed some of them to retire. 
He said they wanted retirement. He ought to 
have promoted a batch of young men, who would 

1 Napoleon organised the Jewish community because he 
desired to make use of their financial power. A curious story 
is told respecting the convocation of the Sanhedrim by Chaptal, 
"Mes Souvenirs sur Napoleon," p. 243, showing Napoleon's 
fatalism. — J. H. R. 



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NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 103 

have been attached to him, like Massena. He 
considered Gouvion St. Cyr one of his best 
soldiers. 1 He said Ney was a man who lived on 
fire, that he would go into the cannon's mouth 
for him if he were ordered ; but he was not a 
man of talent or education. 2 Marmont was a good 
soldier, but a weak man. Soult was a talented 
and good soldier. Bernadotte, he said, had 
behaved ill on one occasion, and should have 
been tried by a court martial ; 3 he did not interfere 
or influence in any way his election by the 
Swedes. He had a high opinion of Junot, who 
stood at his side while he was writing a de- 
spatch on a drum-head, on the field of battle, 
during which time a shot passed, tearing up 
the earth about them. 4 Junot remarked that it 

1 For Gouvion St. Cyr's abilities but incurable nonchalance 5 
see Marbot's " Memoirs," ch. lxvi. — J. H. R. 

3 Ney had not distinguished himself in the campaigns of 
1813-14. He was badly beaten by Biilow at Dennewitz, 
September 6, 181 3. — J. H. R. 

3 This refers to Bernadotte's supposed slackness on the day 
of Jena (October 14, 1806); he has been in part excul- 
pated by Foucart, " La Campagne de 1806," pp. 604-606 and 
694-697.— J. H. R. 

* This incident occurred in one of the forts in front of 
Toulon in the autumn of 1793. It is said to have laid the 
foundation of the long friendship of Napoleon for Junot. — 
J. H. R. 



io 4 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

was very apropos, as he needed sand to dry 
his ink. 

The following morning I requested an inter- 
view before taking leave, on my sailing from 
Elba to join the commander-in-chief at Genoa. 
He was alone at the time. He seemed affected, 
and requested me to prolong my stay at Elba, 
and asked me if the wind was fair for Genoa. 
He said, " You are the first Englishman I have 
been acquainted with," and spoke in a flattering 
manner of England. He said he felt under great 
obligations to Sir Edward Pellew, and requested 
that I would assure him of his gratitude for the 
attention shown him ; that he hoped, when the 
war with America was terminated, I would pay 
him a visit. I told him I had that morning 
breakfasted with the Comte de Montcabri on 
board the frigate Dryade ; that he informed me 
that the Prince of Essling had had a dispute with 
Sir Edward Pellew, and that the French Govern- 
ment had, in consequence, some intention of 
removing him from the command at Toulon. He 
remarked that he was one of his best marshals, 
a man of superior talent ; but that his health was 
bad in consequence of bursting a blood-vessel. 
I said it was understood that he was so much 
displeased with the conduct of the Prince of 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 105 

Esslinor in the Peninsula that he had ordered 
him to Bareges. He replied that I was greatly 
mistaken, that, at the time referred to, the 
Prince's health was very delicate, and his 
physicians recommended him to go to Nice, 
the place of his birth, and that after his recovery 
he was given the command of Toulon, which 
was just then vacant. 1 I requested the Emperor 
to allow me to present Lieutenant Bailey, the 
agent of transports, who had been appointed to 
embark his guards, &c, at Savona. He thanked 
Lieutenant Bailey for the attention paid to his 
troops, and for the care which had been taken 
of his horses, and remarked how extraordinary 
it was that no accident had happened to them 
(there were ninety-three) either in the embarka- 
tion or disembarkation, and complimented him 
highly on his skill and attention, adding that 
our sailors exceeded even the opinion he had 
long since formed of them. 

During this conversation Napoleon gave a 
remarkable proof of his retentive memory, and 
of his information on subjects connected with 

1 The Prince of Essling was Marshal Massena. This 
apology for him by Napoleon is very strained. It is well 
known that he was disgraced for his failure in Portugal in the 
campaign of Torres Vedras. — J. H. R. 



io6 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

naval matters. Lieutenant Bailey informed him 
that, after the guards had embarked, a violent 
gale of wind arose, with a heavy sea, which at 
one time threatened the destruction of the 
transports, and that he considered Savona a 
dangerous anchorage. Napoleon remarked that 
if he had gone to a small bay (I think it was 
Vado) near Savona, he might have lain there 
in perfect safety. 1 He requested me to inform 
the commander-in-chief how much he was 
satisfied with Lieutenant Bailey's kind and skilful 
conduct. He then thanked me for my attention 
to himself, and embracing me a la Fran$aise, 
said, " Adieu, Captain ! rely on me. Adieu ! " 2 
He seemed much affected. 

In closing this, I may say that I have en- 
deavoured throughout to execute faithfully and 
zealously the somewhat difficult mission with 
which I have been charged, but at the same 
time with that deference and respect for the 
feelings of Napoleon which have appeared to 
me no less due to his misfortunes than to his 
exalted station and splendid talents. 

1 Bonaparte in the campaigns of 1794, 1796, frequently 
made use of the bay of Vado. — J. H. R. 

2 " Adieu, Capitaine, comptez sur moi. Adieu ! " 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 107 



LIST OF PERSONS ACCOMPANYING THE EM- 
PEROR NAPOLEON TO THE ISLAND OF ELBA. 



General Roller ... 
Comte Clam 
Colonel Campbell 
Comte Bertrand ... 
Comte Drouot ... 

Baron Germanowki 

Chevalier Foureau 

Chevalier Baillon 

Chevalier Deschamps 

Chevalier Perusse 

M. Gatte .. 

M. Callin .. 

M. Rothery.. 

M. Gueval .. 

M. Pelard .. 

M. Hubert .. 

M. Sotain .. 

M. Purron .. 

M. Rousset .. 

M. Lafosse .. 

M. Gaillard.. 

M. Archambault 

M. Poillett ... 

M. Berthault 

M. Villenaine 

Dennis 

Gandron 

Mathiers 

Rousseau 

Armaudrau 

Noverve 



1 Austrian Envoys. 



English Envoy. 

Grand Marshal of the Palace. 

General of Division and A.D.C 

to the Emperor. 
Major of the L. H. Guards. 
First Physician to the Emperor 

Grooms of the Bedchamber. 

Treasurer. 

Apothecary. 

Comptroller to the Household 

Secretary to the Grand Marshal. 

Clerk to the Comptroller. 

1 Valets de Chambre. 






Master of the Ceremonies. 
Officer of the Ceremonies. 
Chief Cook. 
Chief Baker. 



Valets. 

Keeper of the wardrobe. 
Domestics. 



Rider. 
Body-servant. 



108 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

Besson... 

Renaud 

Chauvin 



m ;;; ;;; ;;; ;;; j Grooms of the state. 



::: :::} 



Sentini.. ' Couriers - 



Note. — When Colonel Campbell arrived at 
Marseilles on April 25, he informed me that, 
having been appointed by Lord Castlereagh to 
accompany Napoleon to Elba, he arrived at 
Fontainebleau on the 16th, at nine o'clock in 
the morning. He met there Comte Bertrand, 
who expressed the Emperor's anxiety to proceed 
to his destination, and his wish to change the 
place of embarkation from St. Tropez to 
Piombino, as there could be no certainty of 
his being received by the commandant of 
Elba, and by going to Piombino that would be 
previously ascertained. If refused, he might 
be driven off the island by tempest while waiting 
permission to land. He expressed the hope that 
Colonel Campbell would remain at Elba until 
his affairs were settled ; otherwise an Algerine 
corsair might land and do what he pleased. He 
seemed much satisfied when Colonel Campbell 
told him that he had Lord Castlereagh's instruc- 
tions to remain there for some time, if necessary 
for the security of Napoleon. After breakfast 
Comte Flahaut informed the commissioners that 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 109 

the Emperor would see them after he had 
attended mass. The commissioners were intro- 
duced in the following order : Russian guard, 
Prince Schoovalof, who remained five minutes ; 
Austrian general, Baron Koller, the same time ; 
Comte Truxo, Colonel Campbell, quarter of an 
hour. Napoleon asked Campbell about his 
wounds and service, where his family resided, 
and seemed very affable. Colonel Campbell 
received from Paris a copy of the order from 
General Dupont, 1 Minister of War, to the 
commandant at Elba, to give up the island to 
Napoleon, taking away the guns, stores, &c. 
This displeased Napoleon exceedingly ; he had 
a conversation with General Koller on the 
subject, and requested him to send his aide-de- 
camp with a note relating to it to Paris, wishing 
to know how he was to protect himself against 
any corsair, and saying that if this conduct was 
continued he would go to England. A note 
was presented to the commissioners by Comte 
Bertrand, who added verbally that the Emperor 
would not disembark unless the guns were left 
for security and defence. 

1 General Dupont incurred Napoleon's lasting displeasure 
by surrendering at Baylen in Andalusia with some 23,000 
French troops (July 19, 1808). In 18 14 he went over to the 
Bourbon cause. — J. H. R. 



no NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

April 20. — The horses were ordered at 9 a.m. 
The Emperor desired to see General Roller. 
He spoke warmly against the separation from 
his wife and child, also of the order for with- 
drawing the guns from Elba, saying he had 
nothing to do with the provisional Government ; 
his treaty was with the allied sovereigns, and 
to them he looked for every act. He was not 
yet destitute of means to continue the war, but 
it was not his wish to do so. General Roller 
endeavoured to persuade him that the treaty 
would be fulfilled with honour. He then sent 
for Colonel Campbell, and began a conversation 
similar to the one on the 16th, speaking of 
service, wounds, &c, the system and discipline 
of the British army, necessity of corporal punish- 
ment, though he thought it should seldom be 
applied. He was much satisfied at Lord Castle- 
reagh's placing a British man-of-war at his dis- 
posal, if he wished it, for convoy or passage, and 
complimented the nation. He then said he was 
ready. The Duke of Bassano, General Belliard, 
Arnano, and four or five others (his aides-de- 
camp), with about twenty other officers, were in 
the ante-chamber. On entering the first room 
there were only General Belliard and Arnano ; 
an aide-de-camp suddenly shut the door, so it 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA in 

is presumed he was taking a particular leave 
of them ; the door then opened, and the aide-de- 
camp called out, " The Emperor." He passed 
with a salute and smile, descended into the 
court, addressed his guards, embraced General 
Petit and the colours, entered his carriage and 
drove off. 

April 21. — Slept at Brienne in a large hotel, 
a good supper being provided. 1 The Emperor 
supped with General Bertrand. 

April 22. — Slept at Nevers. Cries of " Vive 
VEmpereur!" In the morning he sent for 
Colonel Campbell. The table was laid ; so he 
desired the servant to lay another cover, and 
invited the Colonel to stay and breakfast. 
General Bertrand also joined them. Napoleon 
asked Colonel Campbell who commanded in the 
Mediterranean. He said he did not know for 
certain, but believed Sir Sidney Smith was one 
of the admirals. When Comte Bertrand sat 
down, he said, laughing, " Que pensez-vous, 
Sidney Smith amiral dans la Mediterran^e ! " 2 
He then related Smith's having thrown several 

1 " Brienne" should be " Briare," a town on the Loire, half- 
way from Fontainebleau to Nevers. Brienne is in Cham- 
pagne. — J. H. R. 

2 "What do you think, Sidney Smith admiral in the 
Mediterranean ! " 



ii2 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

thousand shot from his ships on them without 
killing a man (this was at Acre). It was his 
great source, for he paid much for every shot 
brought in by the men. "II m' envoya des 
parlementaires comme un second Marlborough." l 
April 23. — Before the journey this morning, 
he requested Colonel Campbell to go on, in 
order to expedite the British man-of-war, and 
also to write to Admiral Emeriau at Toulon to 
expedite the French corvette. He sent off to 
Auxerre to order his heavy baggage, with the 
escort of six hundred guards and horses, to go 
by land to Piombino ; but if that was objected 
to, to go by Lyons, and to drop down the Rhone. 
Colonel Campbell proceeded on by Lyons and 
Aix, when he learned that I was at anchor in 
the bay of Marseilles, where he arrived the 
evening of the 25th. The morning of the 20th 
the commissioners communicated to Comte Ber- 
trand the facilities which had been obtained in 
regard to the several difficulties presented re- 
specting a director of posts for the horses, and a 
British man-of-war for convoy or conveyance, and 
a copy of the order given by General Dupont. 

1 " He sent me parlementaires like a second Marl- 
borough." (" Parlementaire" means "the bearer of a flag 
of truce." 



NAPOLEON'S DEPORTATION TO ELBA 113 

After the formation of the provisional Govern- 
ment, a person was asked by Napoleon what 
he thought of his situation, and whether he 
thought there were any measures to be taken. 
He replied in the negative. Napoleon asked 
what he would do in a similar situation ; his 
questioner said he would blow out his brains. 
The Emperor reflected a moment. " Oui, je 
puis faire cela, mais ceux qui me veulent du bien 
ne pourraient pas en profiter, et ceux qui me 
veulent du mal, cela leur ferait plaisir." * 

NOTE BY BIRGE HARRISON. 

It occurred to me that as I was residing temporarily in 
Frejus, it might be of interest to inquire if any eye-witnesses 
of the event were still living in the neighbourhood. Such a 
person I found in M. Coulis, a gentleman ninety-three years 
old, but unusually intelligent and lucid in conversation. As 
his account differs slightly from that given by Admiral Ussher, 
it may be worth while to put it on record. 

A slight temporary jetty had been erected at the beach for 
the occasion, and among those gathered near it were he and 
his father. It was about half-past seven of a bright moonlight 



1 " Yes, I can do that, but those who wish me well could 
not profit by it, and those who wish me harm would be 
pleased." 

If this is correct, it helps to discredit the story told by 
Napoleon's valet, Constant, that his master tried to poison 
himself at Fontainebleau on April 12 or 13. — J. H. R. 

8 



ii4 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

evening when the imperial party arrived upon the beach — so 
bright indeed that the Emperor's peculiarly vivid smile was 
apparent to all as he advanced from his carriage toward the 
boat which was awaiting him. Just as he put foot upon the 
jetty, however, his countenance darkened somewhat, and, 
turning to the prefect of the Department of the Var, who was 
standing by, the Emperor remarked : 

" This is still another deception. But I should have ex- 
pected as much." (" Voici encore une deception. Mais 
j'aurai du m'attendre a cela.") 

In reply to my query as to what had provoked this parting 
shot at a former official, M. Coulis said that he supposed it 
referred to his desertion by the French corvette Victorieuse, 
which was to accompany him to Elba and to remain per- 
manently in his service, but which had sailed out of the bay 
the preceding afternoon upon learning that the Emperor was 
to go to Elba in an English ship. 

Admiral Ussher makes a curious topographical error when 
he states that Frejus " lies on a height three or four miles from 
the anchorage." In point of fact, the town is separated 
from the beach by a scant three-quarters of a mile of barren 
sand-dunes. 

Frejus, Var, France. 




dmwr Si/i d tin grand Jiwiwic . 



FRENCH CARICATURE ON THE TRANSFER OF NAPOLEON FROM THE 
"BELLEROPHON " TO THE "NORTHUMBERLAND." 



To face page 115. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA. 

FROM A MANUSCRIPT DIARY OF THE TRIP, 
WRITTEN BY THE ADMIRAL'S SECRETARY. 



Captain Ross. 



Count Las Cases. 

Grand Marshal 
Count Bertrand. 

Sir George Bingham. 

Officer. 

Officer. 

General Gourgaud. 



Madame Montholon. 
Sir George Cockburn. 

Bonaparte. 
Countess Bertrand. 
General Montholon. 
Any Stranger. 



Mr. Glover (Admiral's Secretary). 

PLAN OF THE TABLE DURING THE VOYAGE. 
(FROM MR. GLOVER'S MANUSCRIPT.) 
NARRATIVE OF A VOYAGE TO ST. HELENA, PARTICULARLY 
RELATING TO THE ACTIONS AND CONVERSATION OF 
BONAPARTE, ONCE THE SCOURGE OF MANKIND, BUT NOW 
THE DETENU OF THAT NATION WHOSE ATTEMPTED 
DESTRUCTION HAD BEEN THE MAINSPRING OF HIS 
ACTIONS FOR MANY YEARS. 



July 26, 18 1 5. 



■Rear-Admiral Sir George 



n6 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

Cockburn was appointed by the Government 
to convey Napoleon Bonaparte to St. Helena, 
which had been selected as the spot of all others 
most likely to secure him against returning to 
Europe. The Northumberland, Captain C. B. H. 
Ross, which ship was in the Medway, was hurried 
round to Portsmouth with all possible expedition. 
She arrived there on the 31st, when the utmost 
exertions were made to complete her for foreign 
service. 

August 2-5. — On this day Sir George Cock- 
burn arrived at Portsmouth, and on the afternoon 
of the third, notwithstanding the ship was in the 
greatest possible state of confusion (from the 
hurried manner in which stores of every descrip- 
tion had been put on board), we sailed from 
Spithead, with the Bucephalus and Ceylon, troop- 
ships having on board the second battalion of 
the 53rd Regiment, commanded by Colonel Sir 
George Bingham. 1 A company of artillery, com- 

1 The fact that " stores of every description " were put on 
board shows that the ship must have had a supply of fresh 
water. Some of the Frenchmen afterwards complained that all 
the water on board was stale and had been to India and back. 

A diary kept by Sir George Bingham, K.C.B., on board the 
Northumberland, and at St. Helena has been published in 
Blackwood's Magazine, October, November, 1896, as also in 
Cornhill of January, February, 1901. It corroborates Glover's 
" Journal " at several points. — J. H. R. 




„/„, . Os /////////'/? „„■/,) wM/; f >/, 



/"''/■ / ■'■ I )t*SCClltP 'Ml .\l 



CONTEMPORARY FRENCH CARICATURE ON THE END OF NAPOLEONS 
INVASION OF ENGLAND SCHEMES. 



To /at t : 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 117 

manded by Captain Greatly, was also on board 
the Northumberland. We had calm weather 
with light airs occasionally, which greatly enabled 
the ship being put somewhat to rights. 

August 6. — About noon, when off Berry Head, 
we discovered a squadron which proved to be the 
Tonnant, having the flag of Lord Keith, com- 
mander-in-chief of the Channel fleet ; the Bellero- 
phon (having on board Napoleon Bonaparte and 
his suite) ; and the Eurotas frigate. Sir George 
Cockburn went on board the Tonnant when the 
squadron anchored to the westward of Berry 
Head. On communicating with the Tonnant, 
we found that Lord Keith had sailed suddenly 
with his squadron from Plymouth to prevent 
any difficulty or unpleasant consequences in 
removing Bonaparte to the Northumberland, it 
being understood that a writ of habeas corpus, 
or subpoena, had been taken out to remove him 
to London, to appear as evidence at some trial, 
in consequence of which it was determined that 
this ex-emperor should be removed at sea. 1 

1 This affair of the subpoena seems to have arisen out of 
an article in the leading Opposition paper, the Morning 
Chronicle, in which a Mr. Capel Lofft stated that Bonaparte, 
having appealed to the laws of Great Britain, might demand 
from the Lord Chancellor a writ of habeas corpus. Some 
one then suggested the bringing of a libel suit in London 



n8 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

During the afternoon a conference was held by- 
Lord Keith, Sir George Cockburn, and Marechal 
Bertrand, relative to the transhipment of the 
French party ; and after dinner Lord Keith, 
accompanied by Sir George Cockburn, went on 
board the Bellerophon to make known to Bona- 
parte that it was necessary to remove him to 
the Northumberland as quickly as possible and 
convenient, for the purpose of being conveyed to 
St. Helena. Bonaparte protested strenuously 
against this procedure, and the right of the 
British Government thus to dispose of him. 1 Sir 
George, however, contented himself by observing 
that as a military officer he must obey his instruc- 
tions, and therefore expressed a hope that he 
(Bonaparte) would be ready to move the next 
day with such of his followers as it was deter- 
mined were to accompany him. 

August 7. — After breakfast Sir George Cock- 

against a naval officer, in which Napoleon was to be called 
as a witness. A lawyer then started for Plymouth and gave 
some trouble to Lord Keith, who, however, successfully dodged 
him. See " Narrative of Captain Maitland," pp. 161-169, new 
edit., London, 1904; with an excellent note on the futility of 
the habeas corpus device. — J. H. R. 

1 For his protest, see Allardyce's " Memoirs of Lord Keith," 
also "Napoleonic Studies," by J. H. Rose, pp. 319-321. — 
J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 119 

burn went again on board the Bellerophon to 
examine the baggage of Bonaparte and his 
followers, at which they were excessively in- 
dignant. Nevertheless everything was inspected, 
but no one of the French officers would attend. 
All the arms were delivered up, and 4,000 
napoleons were detained by Sir George Cock- 
burn, and delivered to Captain Maitland to 
be forwarded to the treasury ; after which the 
luggage was transhipped, and every necessary 
arrangement made. About two o'clock Bona- 
parte came on board the Northtcmberland, accom- 
panied by Lord Keith. On coming on deck 
he said to Sir George Cockburn (in French), 
" Here I am, General, at your orders." He then 
begged to be introduced to the captain, and asked 
the names of the different officers on deck, to 
what regiments they belonged, and other questions 
of trifling import. He then, with Sir George 
Cockburn, Lord Keith, and some of his followers, 
went into the after cabin, where he was left. 
The following persons were allowed to follow 
Bonaparte into exile, and came at the same time 
with him from the Bellerophon, viz., General 
Comte de Bertrand, grand marshal of the 
palace ; General de Montholon ; General Gour- 
gaud ; Comte Las Cases, and his son, about 



i2o NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

thirteen years of age ; Comtesse de Bertrand, 
with three children ; Comtesse de Montholon, 
with one child ; three valets de chambre ; 
three valets de pied : a maitre d'hotel ; a chef 
d'office ; a cook ; a porter ; a lamp-lighter 
(lampiste) ; and a male servant of Marechal 
Bertrand's. The following persons were allowed 
to come on board from the Eurotas frigate to 
take their final leave of Bonaparte, viz., Lieu- 
tenant - Colonel Resigny. Lieutenant - Colonel 
Schultz, Le Chef d'Escadre Mercher, Captain 
Autrie, Captain Riviere, Captain St. Catherine, 
Captain Piontkowski, and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Plaisir, the major part of whom appeared affected 
on quitting their quondam master, most parti- 
cularly Piontkowski, who, after using every 
entreaty in vain to be allowed to accompany 
Bonaparte, solicited most earnestly to be allowed 
to become a servant. But this was also refused, 
and they all returned. 1 

The admiral after this went into the after cabin 
with some of the officers, and, finding Bonaparte 

1 The list given on pp. 137, 138 is fuller, but it includes the 
names of several who were not allowed to proceed to St. 
Helena. See note p. 139. Piontkowski was afterwards allowed 
to go to St. Helena (Captain Maitland, " Narrative," ad fin.). — 
J. H. R. 




NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. 

il sketch by SirChrrles Eastlake, taken from « heal as Nafolec 
on tiit- deck of the " Bellerophon." 



Tofactpagt til. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 121 

seemed to assume an exclusive right to this cabin, 
he desired Mar^chal Bertrand to explain that 
the after cabin must be considered as common 
to us all, and that the sleeping-cabin could alone 
be considered as exclusively his. Bonaparte 
received this intimation with submission and 
apparent good humour, and soon after went on 
deck, where he remained a considerable time, 
asking various questions of each officer of trifling 
import. He particularly asked Sir George 
Bingham and Captain Greatly to what regi- 
ments they belonged, and when told that Captain 
Greatly belonged to the artillery, he replied 
quickly, " I also belonged to the artillery." 
After conversing on deck for some time, this 
ex-emperor retired to the cabin allotted him as 
a sleeping-cabin, which is about nine feet wide 
and twelve feet long, with a narrow passage 
leading to the quarter - gallery. The admiral 
had a similar sleeping-cabin on the opposite 
side. The after cabin is our general sitting- 
room and the fore cabin our mess-room ; the 
others of the party are accommodated below by 
the captain and some of the officers giving up 
their cabins, and by building others on the main 
deck. Thus this man, who but a short time 
since kept nations in dread, and had thousands 



122 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

at his nod, has descended from the emperor to 
the general with a flexibility of mind more 
easily to be imagined than described. He is 
henceforth to be styled general, and by directions 
from our Government he is to have the same 
honours and respect paid him as a British general 
not in employ. 1 

Our mess now consists of Rear-Admiral Sir 
George Cockburn ; C. B. H. Ross, captain of 
the Northumberland ; Mr. J. R. Glover, secre- 
tary to Sir George Cockburn ; Sir George R. 
Bingham, colonel of the 53rd Regiment (a 
passenger) ; General Bonaparte ; Mar^chal Ber- 
trand ; 2 Major-Generals de Montholon and 
Gourgaud ; Le Comte de Las Cases ; and 
Mesdames Montholon and Bertrand. At 
6 p.m. dinner was announced, when we all 
sat down in apparent good spirits, and our 
actions declared our appetites fully equal to 
those spirits. General Bonaparte ate of every 
dish at table, using his fingers instead of a fork, 
seeming to prefer the rich dishes to the plain 

1 The allied Governments, after Napoleon's escape from 
Elba, proscribed him, and, of course, refused to grant to him 
the imperial title which was accorded to him at Elba. — J. H. R. 

8 Bertrand was a general of the army, but he kept the title 
of Grand Marshal of the Palace. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 123 

dressed food, and not even tasting vegetables. 
Claret was his beverage, which he drank out of 
a tumbler, keeping the bottle before him. He 
conversed the whole of dinner-time, confining 
his conversation principally to the admiral, with 
whom he talked over the whole of the Russian 
campaign, and attributed the failure of it in the 
first instance to the burning of Moscow, in the 
next to the frost setting in much sooner than 
was expected. He said he meant only to have 
refreshed his troops for four or five days, and 
then to have pushed on for St. Petersburg ; but 
finding all his plans frustrated by the burning 
of Moscow, and his army likely to perish, he 
hurried back to Paris, setting out with a chosen 
body-guard, one half of which was frozen to death 
the first night. 1 He said nothing could be more 
horrible than the retreat from Moscow, and 
indeed the whole of the Russian campaign ; 
that for several days together it appeared to him 
as if he were marching through a sea of fire, 
owing to the constant succession of villages in 

1 All this is put very loosely. He set out from Moscow on 
October 19. The season was much more open than usual. 
Cold weather did not set in till November 7 ; and no heavy 
losses were sustained till severer weather set in in December. — 
J. H. R. 



i2 4 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

flames, which arose in every direction as far as 
the eye could reach. He said the burning of 
these villages, as well as of Moscow, was 
attributed to his troops, but that it was in- 
variably done by the natives. 1 After dinner he 
did not drink wine, but he took a glass of 
noyau after his coffee, previous to rising from 
table. After dinner he walked the deck, con- 
versing principally with the admiral, and to 
whom he said, during this conversation, that 
previous to his going to Elba he had made pre- 
parations for having a navy of a hundred sail of 
the line ; 2 that he had established a conscription 
for the navy ; and that the Toulon fleet was 
entirely manned and brought forward by people 
of this description ; that he had ordered them 
positively to get under way and manoeuvre every 
day the weather would permit, and to occasionally 
exchange long shots with our ships ; that this 
had been remonstrated against by those about 
him, and it had cost him much money to repair 
the accidents which occurred from the want of 
maritime knowledge, such as ships getting foul 

1 It is now known that the fires at Moscow and elsewhere 
were due largely to the plundering of French and Polish 
troops. — J. H. R. 

a See his assertion on p. 88. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 125 

of each other, splitting their sails, springing 
their masts, &c. ; but he found this tended 
to improve the crews, and he determined to 
persevere in his plan. After walking for some 
time, he proposed a round game of cards, in 
compliance with which the admiral, Sir George 
Bingham, Captain Ross, and myself assembled 
with General Bonaparte and his followers in 
the after cabin, where we played at vingt-un 
[sic] (which was the game chosen by the ex- 
emperor) till nearly eleven o'clock, when we all 
retired to our beds. 

Could any person ignorant of the events which 
had so lately occurred have witnessed the group 
at cards, he never could possibly have imagined 
that it consisted of a fallen emperor, a fallen 
marshal, two fallen generals, an ex-count, two 
ex-countesses, an English admiral (guardian of 
the fallen), and an English colonel, captain, and 
secretary in office ; nor could he have dis- 
tinguished any difference in the countenances 
of those fallen and those in the plenitude of 
their power. 

As the ship had not been fitted for so many 
passengers, there was difficulty in providing them 
with adequate room and accommodation, as each 
asked and expected a separate apartment. The 



126 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

general was provided as before mentioned, 
Captain Ross gave up his cabin to Marshal and 
Madame Bertrand, I gave up mine to General 
and Madame Montholon, and it was arranged 
that General Gourgaud and Count Las Cases 
were to sleep on sofa-beds in the after cabin, until 
cabins could be built for them between decks. 

August 8. — The weather unpleasant ; wind 
from north-east, with much swell. We lay to 
most of this day off Plymouth, waiting to be 
joined by the squadron destined to accompany 
us. The Havannak, Zenobia, and Peruvian 
joined during the day. The last was despatched 
to Guernsey to procure French wines, and rejoin 
us at Madeira. Owing to the swell and conse- 
quent motion, but few of our guests were able to 
come to table, and the general did not make his 
appearance during the day. 

August 9. — The Zephyr, Icarus, Redpole, and 
Ferret joined from Plymouth, which completed 
our destined squadron (except the Weymouth y 
store-ship). We proceeded down Channel with 
a fresh wind from the north-west and much swell. 
The ex-emperor made his first appearance this 
day about two o'clock, and after walking a short 
time on deck he went into the after cabin, where 
he played at chess until dinner was announced. 




BOKAPAB.TE ©I? BOAKB THE BBMBOPIIOT? 07P riTJlOH'TH. 



Zandin Tuilijhtd by Thorn* • K» By Piuerne*tsr ncm.J&i 



To Jan ; 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 127 

During the first part of the dinner he was very- 
reserved ; but after taking a few glasses of wine, 
he threw off that reserve and conversed freely, 
but chiefly with the admiral, of whom he made 
many and particular inquiries relative to India 
and the state of our forces there. He said that 
formerly he had corresponded with Tippoo Saib, 
and on going to Egypt he entertained hopes of 
reaching India; 1 but the removal of the vizir, and 
the change of politics with the Ottoman Porte, 
with other circumstances, had frustrated his hopes 
and prevented him pursuing that career which he 
had at first contemplated. He sat but a short 
time at dinner, and then went on deck, where he 
walked, keeping his hat off and looking round 
steadfastly and rather sternly to see if the British 
officers did the same. However, as the admiral, 
after saluting the deck, put his hat on, the officers 
did the same (the admiral having previously 
desired that the officers should not be uncovered), 
and thus not a British head was uncovered, at 
which he was evidently piqued, and soon retired 
to the after cabin. His followers were constantly 
uncovered in his presence, and watched his every 

1 It is certain that he kept his gaze mainly on French 
politics, and would not have gone so far as India. See his 
words on p. 215. — J. H. R. 



128 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

motion with obsequious attention. About 8 p.m., 
General Gourgaud begged of us to join the vingt- 
un party, which the admiral, Sir George Bingham, 
Captain Ross, and myself did, and played until 
about half-past nine, when Bonaparte retired to 
bed. During- this evening he talked but little 
and appeared sulky ; however, this produced no 
alteration in our manners toward him, neither 
was he paid more respect than any other 
officer present. This afternoon the Zenobia was 
despatched to put letters into the post-office at 
Falmouth, off which place we were. 

August 10. — The weather moderate ; the wind 
to the westward, with considerable swell from 
that quarter. As soon as the Zenobia rejoined, 
we made sail on the starboard tack. Our pas- 
sengers, with the exception of the general, were 
all assembled at the second breakfast about half- 
past ten. This meal consisted of soup, roasted 
meat, a haricot, marmalade, with porter and 
claret as a beverage (which, I understand, is the 
constant breakfast of the general), the ladies, and 
even the children, drinking both porter and wine 
with water. Between two and three Bonaparte 
made his appearance on deck, asking various 
questions as to the names of the vessels with us, 
the probable time of our voyage to Madeira, &c. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 129 

His fellow-prisoners are ever uncovered in his 
presence, and in speaking to him invariably 
address him either " Sire " or " Votre MajesteY' 
but the admiral as well as the officers at all times 
address him as general. However, the difficulty 
of repressing the inclination to pay him marked 
attention is evident, and the curiosity of both 
officers and men in watching his actions is very 
easily perceived. About four o'clock he retired 
to the after cabin, where he played at chess 
with General Montholon until dinner-time. He 
appeared to play but badly, and certainly very 
much inferior to his antagonist, who neverthe- 
less was determined not to win the game from 
his ex-majesty. 1 At dinner he ate heartily of 
every dish, his fork remaining useless, whilst his 
fingers were busily employed. During dinner, in 
conversation with the admiral relative to our 
contests with America, he said Mr. Madison was 
too late in declaring war ; that he had never 
made any requisition to France for assistance ; 
but that he (Bonaparte) would very readily have 
lent any number of ships of the line Mr. 
Madison might have wished for, if American 
seamen could have been sent to man them and 

1 Impatience of rules made Napoleon play poorly at all 
games. See p. 206. — J. H. R. 

9 



130 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

carry them to America, but that, the affairs of 
France beginning to go wrong about that period, 
it was out of his power to afford any material 
assistance to the American Government. 1 During 
the dinner he drank very heartily of claret out of 
a tumbler, but nothing after dinner except a glass 
of noyau. When coffee was served, he swallowed 
his hastily, and got up from table before many of 
us were even served, and went on deck, followed 
by Marechal Bertrand and Comte Las Cases. 
This induced the admiral to desire the remainder 
of the party not to quit the table, and directed 
the steward in future to serve coffee to the 
general, and such of his followers as chose to take 
it, immediately after the cloth was removed, whilst 
we would continue at table and drink our wine. 

Bonaparte walked the deck, asking various 
trifling questions, until nearly dark, when our 
vingt-un party was again formed. The general 
was again unlucky, losing ten or twelve napoleons, 
but with perfect good humour. About half-past 
nine he retired to his sleeping-cabin. General 
Gourgaud (who was one of the general's aides-de- 
camp at the battle of Waterloo), in conversation 
with the admiral, said that during that battle, 
when the Prussians appeared, General Bonaparte 
1 That is, against Great Britain in 1812. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 131 

believed them to have been General Grouchy's 
division, he having left between 30,000 and 
40,000 men with that general under orders to 
advance (in the direction from which the Prussians 
came) if from the firing heard General Grouchy 
should have reason to suppose the day was 
obstinately contested by the English ; and this he 
said induced Bonaparte to persist in his efforts so 
long, and occasioned (when it was discovered that 
there was nothing but Prussians on the French 
flank) so general and complete a rout. 1 He said 
Bonaparte was forced off the ground by Soult, 
and he proceeded as quickly as possible after- 
ward to Paris ; but so great were the panic and 
disorder among the French soldiers that many of 
them, without arms or accoutrements, actually 
arrived in Paris, some behind carriages, and 
others in carts, &c, on the same day with the 
general and his attendants, not having halted 
once from the moment of their quitting the field, 
and reporting everywhere as they passed that 
all was lost. Our latitude to-day at noon was 
49 41' N. 

1 Gourgaud was wrong. Napoleon knew by 2 p.m. that 
the corps approaching from the east was Prussian, but he 
counted on Grouchy marching after them and taking them 
between two fires. See p. 147. — J. H. R. 



1 32 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

August ii. — The weather bad and squally, 
with an unpleasant swell and wind from the north- 
west. Our guests were all sea-sick, and General 
Gourgaud was the only one able to sit at table. 
Bonaparte did not quit his cabin the whole day. 
Marechal Bertrand, in a conversation relative to 
General Bonaparte's return, stated it was ac- 
tuated by what the papers mentioned of the dis- 
tracted state of France, and that he was received 
everywhere as a father returning to his children. 
Our latitude to-day was 48 48' N., longitude 

5° 58' W. 

August 12. — The weather moderate ; wind to 
the westward, with much swell, which caused so 
unpleasant a motion as to prevent our female 
guests from assembling at the breakfast-table. 
About three o'clock Bonaparte made his appear- 
ance upon deck ; but owing to the motion, he 
found it difficult to walk. However, with the help 
of Sir George Bingham's arm, he walked for 
about half an hour, asking commonplace ques- 
tions, and pitying those on board the brigs in 
company, which seemed to roll and pitch very 
much. General Montholon, Comte Las Cases, 
and the two ladies complained much of sea-sick- 
ness ; nevertheless, we all assembled at five 
o'clock at dinner, except General Montholon. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 133 

\ 
Bonaparte was more silent than usual, and did 

not eat so heartily, apparently affected by the 

motion. After dinner he walked a considerable 

time with the admiral, in earnest conversation. 

About eight we adjourned to the after cabin, and 

played the usual game of vingt-un until near ten. 

The admiral told me that in the conversation 

with the general this evening, in speaking of 

Ferdinand of Spain, he (the general) considered 

him both a fool and a coward, that he was 

perfectly under the dominion of priesthood, and 

was merely a passive instrument in the hands of 

the monks. He added that he looked on King 

Charles of Spain as an honest, good man, but 

that he had lost everything by his attachment to 

a bad wife. Among other things he mentioned 

that Baron de Kolly, who was sent by the British 

Government to bring off Ferdinand, was first 

discovered by his endeavouring to gain some 

person to his interest in Paris, and also from 

suspicion excited by the command of money 

which he appeared to possess ; that upon his 

being arrested all his papers were discovered, and 

then it was determined to send off a police officer 

from Paris to personate Kolly at Valenc,ay, to 

deliver the Prince Regent's letter, and to assure 

Ferdinand that everything was prepared for his 



134 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

escape, purposely to prove how he would act 
under such circumstances ; but in spite of every- 
thing this sham Kolly could urge (and Bonaparte 
added that he was a clever fellow), Ferdinand's 
courage was not equal to the undertaking, and he 
obstinately refused to have anything to do with 
the supposed agent of Great Britain. 1 The 
general said that until Kolly was discovered at 
Paris, the French Government had no idea of our 
attempting to carry off Ferdinand ; but, however, 
he was quite convinced, had Kolly not been dis- 
covered, the pusillanimity of Ferdinand would 
have prevented all possibility of our success. 
Our latitude this day at noon was 4 6° 3c/ N., and 
longitude 8° 2' W. 

August 13. — The weather very fine, with 
calms. Napoleon has hitherto breakfasted in 
his cabin. Our other guests were all assembled 
at the second breakfast, and it was evident from 
their appetites that they had forgot their sea-sick- 
ness. During the forenoon Madame Bertrand 
expressed great regret at having undertaken the 
voyage ; she also expressed hopes that Marechal 

1 Baron de Kolly's plan failed owing to the treason of a 
subordinate. The scheme of the sham Kolly was seen 
through by Ferdinand himself. See Alison, "History of 
Europe," ch. lxv.— J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 135 

Bertrand and herself would be allowed to return 
to England in the course of twelve months. 1 
Between two and three the general came on deck, 
and walked until nearly dinner-time. He made 
many inquiries relative to a French merchant 
brig spoken by one of the squadron, which was 
fourteen days from Havre. He seemed anxious 
to know how long we should be in reaching 
Madeira, and whether we were likely to remain 
there. At dinner the Rev. George Rennell, 
chaplain of the ship, who had been invited to 
dine with us, happening to sit opposite the general, 
the latter observed him with peculiar attention, 
and during the whole of the dinner-time he was 
completely occupied in asking questions relative 
to the Protestant religion — asking what were the 
forms of our church service ; whether we used 
music ; whether we used extreme unction ; 
whether we prayed for the dead ; how many 
sacraments we had, and how often the sacrament 
was performed ; whether our religion was similar 
to either the Calvinist or Lutheran ; whether 
length of time was necessary to study, and how 
long so before a clergyman could be ordained ; 

1 She induced General Bertrand, when signing for permis- 
sion to go to St. Helena, to stipulate that it should be for only 
twelve months. — J. H. R. 



136 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

how many different sects of dissenters we had in 
England ; whether we believed in transubstan- 
tiation — in fact, he asked almost every possible 
question. He also asked Mr. Rennell whether 
he had ever seen the Roman Catholic worship 
performed ; and being answered in the affirmative 
(in Spain), he said, " Ah, there you would see 
it with every pompous effect." After dinner he 
walked until nearly dark, when he retired to the 
after cabin. I went in shortly after, and, on 
taking up one of his books, of which he has a 
very good collection, he asked me if I had ever 
read Ossian. 1 I replied I had in English, when 
he said, " I do not know what it is in English, 
but it is very fine in French," and immediately 
offered me the book he had in his hand, and 
which was Ossian. After conversing a few 
minutes, he asked, "What is the hour ?" and 
being told it was eight, he said, "It is time 
to play at vingt-tm." Madame Bertrand, seeing 
that I appeared somewhat surprised, it being 
Sunday evening, said, " Do you never play cards 
on Sunday ? " I replied it was not customary. 
Bonaparte said, " Why, the upper circles in 
London play cards on Sunday," to which I 

1 Macpherson (the supposed Ossian) was Napoleon's 
favourite poet. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 137 

assented. He then said, " The admiral, I 
suppose, will not dislike it. Send for him and 
the colonel " (meaning Sir George Bingham). 
Cards were produced, and we played for about 
an hour (but neither the admiral nor Sir George 
Bingham joined the party), when Bonaparte went 
to bed. Our latitude at noon was 45 42' N., 
longitude 8 C 10' W. 

August 14. — Light winds, with a continuation 
of fine weather. Bonaparte, as usual, breakfasted 
in his cabin. He walked the deck both before 
and after dinner, and spent the evening playing 
at vingt-un ; but nothing occurred in his con- 
versation worthy of notice. Both he and the 
admiral appeared distant to each other. Madame 
Bertrand during the day made many anxious 
inquiries as to whether the English ministry 
would allow her and the marshal to return to 
England. To-day, in a conversation with Mr. 
Barry O'Meara, late surgeon of the Belleropkon, 
who was permitted by Lord Keith, at the request 
of General Bonaparte, to accompany him to St. 
Helena (and who is now considered one of the 
general's suite), he told me that on July 15 the 
following persons quitted France with Bonaparte. 1 

1 Generaux. — Le Lieutenant General Comte Bertrand, 
grand marechal ; le Lieutenant-General Due de Rovigo ; le 



138 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

To-day at noon our latitude was 45 13' N., 
and longitude 90 5' W. We had still light airs, 
with the wind to the westward, and with much 
less swell than usual. 

August 15. — This being Bonaparte's birthday, 
all his followers appeared dressed in their best. 
He walked as usual before dinner, and appeared 
particularly cheerful. He asked numerous 
questions relative to the Cape of Good Hope ; 

Lieutenant-General Baron Lallemand (refused permission to 
go), A.D.C a sa Majeste ; le Lieutenant-General Baron 
Gourgaud, A.D.C. a sa Majeste; Le Comte Las Cases, 
conseiller d'etat. 

Dames. — Madame la Comtesse Bertrand ; Madame la 
Comtesse Montholon. 

Officiers. — Lieutenant-Colonel De Planat ; M. Maingaut, 
chirurgien de sa Majeste. Mr. Barry O'Meara, surgeon of the 
Bellerophon, accompanies the general as his surgeon in lieu of 
M. Maingaut, who was re-landed in France. 

Enfants. — Three children of Madame la Comtesse Ber- 
trand ; one child of Madame la Comtesse Montholon. 

Officier. — M. Las Cases, page. 

Service de la Chambre. — M. Marchand, 1st valet de 
chambre ; M. Gilli, valet de chambre ; M. St. Denis, valet 
de chambre; M. Navarra, valet de chambre; M. Denis, 
garcon de garde-robe. 

Livree. — M. Archambaud, 1st valet de pied ; M. Gaudron, 
valet de pied ; M. Gentilini, valet de pied. 

Service de la Bouche. — M. Fontain, 1st maitre d'hotel ; 
M. Freron, 1st chef d'office ; M. La Fosse, 1st cuisinier ; 
M. Le Page, cuisinier ; two femmes de chambre de Madame 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 139 

as to the colour of the natives ; their disposition ; 
what inland traffic was carried on ; how far the 
interior had been explored. During the dinner 
he reverted to his northern campaign, saying 
had he succeeded in that, he seriously intended 
to have invaded Great Britain. At dinner we 
all drank his health in compliment to his birth- 
la Comtesse Bertrand ; one femme de chambre de Madame la 
Comtesse de Montholon. 

Suite de Personnes qui accompagnent sa Majesty. — 
One valet de chambre du Due de Rovigo; one valet de 
chambre du Comte Bertrand ; one valet de chambre du Comte 
Montholon ; one valet de pied du Comte Bertrand. The fore- 
going went on board the Bellerophon. 

Officiers. — Le Lieutenant-Colonel Resigny; Capitaine 
Autrie ; Capitaine Piontkowski ; Sous- Lieutenant St. Catherine ; 
Lieutenant-Colonel Schultz; Capitaine Mercherj Lieutenant 
Riviere. 

Suite de sa Majeste. — Cipriani, maitre d'hotel ; 
Rosseau, lampiste ; Archambaud, valet de pied ; Liviany, 
garde d'ofhee ; Fumeau, valet de pied. The above on board 
the Myrmidon. 

N.B. — The names were copied from the original French 
list on board the Bellerophon. General Gourgaud, one of the 
first mentioned, went to England with a letter to the Prince 
Regent ; but, not being permitted to land, he returned on 
board the Bellerophon when that ship arrived in Torbay. 

[Savary, Due de Rovigo, General Lallemand, Colonel Planat, 
M. Maingaut, and some of the servants, did not proceed to 
St. Helena. Twelve valets and servants went thither on 
board the Northumberland. See Captain Maitland's " Narra- 
tive " ad fin.— J. H. K] 



i 4 o NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

day, with which civility he seemed much pleased. 
He walked a considerable time with the admiral 
after dinner, talking of the invasion of England. 
He said that when the demonstration was made 
at Boulogne, he had most perfectly and decidedly 
made up his mind to it (the invasion) ; that his 
putting guns into the praams and the rest of 
his armed flotilla was only to deceive and 
endeavour to make us believe he intended to 
make a descent upon England with their 
assistance only, whereas he had never intended 
to make any other use of them than as transports, 
and entirely depended on his fleets being enabled 
to deceive ours by the route and manoeuvres he 
intended them to make ; and that they would 
thereby be enabled to get off Boulogne, so as 
to have a decided superiority in the Channel 
long enough to insure his making good a landing, 
for which he said everything was so arranged 
and prepared that he would have required only 
twenty-four hours after arriving at the spot fixed 
on. 1 He said he had 200,000 men for this 
service, out of which 6,000 were cavalry, which 
would have been landed with horses and every 
appointment complete and fit for acting the 
moment they were put on shore ; and that the 
1 See note on p. 89. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 141 

praams were particularly intended for carrying 
over these horses. He said the exact point of 
debarkation had not been fixed on, as he con- 
sidered it not material, and only therefore to 
be determined by the winds and circumstances 
of the moment ; but that he intended to have 
got as near to Chatham as he conveniently could, 
to have secured our resources there at once, and 
to have pushed on to London by that road. He 
told Sir George Cockburn he had ordered his 
Mediterranean admiral to proceed with his fleet 
to Martinique to distract our attention, and draw 
our fleet after him, and then to exert the utmost 
efforts to get quickly back to Europe ; and 
looking into Brest (where he had ordered another 
fleet under Gantheaume to be ready to join him), 
the whole was to push up Channel to Boulogne, 
where he (Bonaparte) was to be ready to join 
them, and to move with them over to our coast 
at an hour's notice. And in point of fact, he 
said, he was so ready, his things embarked, and 
himself anxiously looking for the arrival of his 
fleets, when he heard of their having returned 
indeed to Europe ; but instead of their coming 
into the Channel, in conformity with the instruc- 
tions he had given, they had got to Cadiz, where 
they were blocked up by the English fleet, with 



142 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

which they had had a partial engagement off 
Ferrol, and thus, he said, by the disobedience 
and want of management of his admirals, he saw 
in a moment that all his hopes with regard to 
invading England were frustrated, with this 
additional disadvantage (which he had fully 
foreseen when he first turned in his mind the 
idea of such an attempt), that the preparations 
at Boulogne had given a stronger military bias 
to every individual in England, and enabled 
ministers to make greater efforts than they other- 
wise perhaps would have been permitted to do. 
He added that he believed, however, the English 
administration had entertained great alarms for 
the issue, if he had got over, as his secret agents 
at the Russian court reported to him that Great 
Britain had most pressingly urged that court with 
Austria to declare war against France for the 
purpose of averting from England the danger of 
this threatened invasion, which he said, however, 
he had given up from the moment he found his 
fleets had failed. 1 Having then turned his whole 

1 Far from this being so, the British Government insisted 
on terms (respecting Malta) which were repugnant to the 
Czar Alexander, with the result that the Anglo-Russian 
alliance was formed very slowly and with great difficulty. — 
J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 143 

attention to his new enemies on the Continent, 
his force collected at Boulogne enabled him to 
make the sudden movement which proved fatal 
to General Mack, and gave him (Bonaparte) all 
the advantages which followed. In short, the 
account he gave very much tallied with Gold- 
smith's relation of the same circumstances as 
given in his " History of the Cabinet of St. 
Cloud." * 

During the conversation Bonaparte told the 
admiral in a manner not at all suspicious that 
Admiral Villeneuve decidedly put himself to 
death, though the general in talking of him 
seemed very strongly impressed with an idea of 
that admiral's unpardonable neglect, disobedience, 
and negligence throughout. 2 He also said that he 
had ordered Admiral Dumanoir to be tried by a 
court martial for his conduct at the battle of 
Trafalgar, and that he had exerted all his influence 
to have him shot or broke, but that he had been 
acquitted in spite of him ; and he added that 
when the sentence of acquittal was given, Admiral 
Cosmao (who was one of the members of the 
court, and whom he said he decidedly considered 

1 For this Goldsmith, see p. 192. 

2 Villeneuve committed suicide at Rennes on April 22, 
1806.— J. H. R. 



144 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

to be the best sea officer now in France, and 
whom he had therefore lately created a peer) 
broke his own sword at the time that of Dumanoir 
was returned to him, which act Bonaparte seemed 
most highly pleased with. 1 In the course of the 
evening he told Sir George that he had prepared 
a strong expedition at Antwerp, destined to act 
against Ireland, which he had only been prevented 
from sending forward by his own affairs taking an 
unfavourable turn on the Continent. He was in 
very high spirits this evening, and was very 
fortunate at vingt-un, which seemed to please 
him the more as it was his birthday. Our latitude 
and longitude this day at noon were 43 51' N. 
and io° 21' W. 

August 16. — Our fine weather continued, with 
light airs. Bonaparte walked before and after 
dinner, and was particularly cheerful in con- 
versation, asking a variety of questions relative 
to St. Helena and the Cape of Good Hope. He 
inquired most particularly as to the number of 
respectable families at St. Helena, the number 
of ladies there, and how many officers' wives 
were in the squadron. After dinner to-day he 
had a long conversation with the admiral, whom 

1 Dumanoir commanded the French van at Trafalgar, and 
did not "wear about" with sufficient promptness. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 145 

he assured, on his word of honour, that on return- 
ing from Elba he had not held communication or 
correspondence with, nor had he received any 
invitation from, any of the marshals or generals 
whatever, and that it was entirely owing to the 
representations in the public papers of the state 
of France that he was induced to return, and no 
longer to hesitate in taking the steps he did. 1 He 
stated that, on reaching Grenoble, the garrison 
showed an inclination to resist his progress, but 
that on his putting himself in front, throwing open 
his great-coat to show himself more conspicuously, 
and calling out, " Kill your Emperor if you wish 
it ! " the whole immediately joined, and that after- 
ward he received nothing but congratulations 
and proofs of attachment all the way to Paris. 
Marechal Bertrand related to me the foregoing 
circumstances in a very similar manner, adding, 
however, that at first Bonaparte found some 
difficulty in inducing the officers to espouse his 
cause, and that many of them, on being sent for 
by Bonaparte, stated that they had taken the oath 
of allegiance to Louis XVI 1 1., and consequently 
that as their troops had deserted them their ap- 
pointments were null and void, and that they had 

1 Another reason was that he believed the allies in the 
Congress of Vienna to be on the verge of a rupture. — J. H. R. 

10 



146 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

acted up to their faith as far as regarded Louis. 
Bonaparte then asked them if they would accept 
commissions from him, when there were very few 
but what replied in the affirmative, and served 
under his banners. Bertrand also said that as 
they proceeded towards Paris their forces in- 
creased most rapidly ; that he felt convinced that 
Marechal Ney left Paris with a full intention of 
opposing Bonaparte, but, finding his army to a 
man quitting him, he espoused the cause of 
Bonaparte, and became a strenuous supporter 
of his. Bonaparte, amongst other things, told the 
admiral that on his return to Paris from Elba he 
had paid too much attention to, and had submitted 
too much to the opinion of, the Jacobin party, 
which he was now persuaded had not been so 
requisite as he then conceived it to be ; and that 
had he depended altogether on his own popularity, 
he should have succeeded better. 1 He said the 
circumstances of the times compelled him to form 
his army quickly, and how he could ; and in 
consequence of not having time to examine and 
weed it, many officers remained in it who had 
received their appointments from Louis XVI 1 1., 

1 There were very few Jacobins in France in 1815. 
Napoleon dubbed the Constitutional Liberals " Jacobins," in 
order to discredit them. — J. H. R. 




, ^ 







TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 147 

and who were much disaffected to him, and 
anxious to betray him, He said many of his 
officers deserted previous to the battle of Water- 
loo ; * and in speaking of the French nation he 
said that the lower orders of the people were the 
most sincere, the most firm, and at the same time 
the best dispositioned in the world ; but in the 
proportion as you rose the class their characters 
became the worse, and above the bourgeois they 
were too fickle and too volatile to be at all 
depended on. They had one principle for to-day 
and another for to-morrow, according to the 
circumstances of the moment ; and he attributed 
his Waterloo disasters solely to the disaffected 
officers of his army. In talking of the battle he 
assured the admiral he had never for a moment 
mistook the Prussians for Grouchy's division, but 
that he knew early in the day that the Prussians 
were closing on his flank ; that this, however, 
gave him little or no uneasiness, as he depended 
on General Grouchy also closing with him at the 
same time, and he had ordered a sufficient force 
to oppose the Prussians, who were in fact already 
checked. And he added that he considered the 

1 General Bourmont, with the officers of his division (in 
Gerard's corps) deserted to the Prussians early on June 15. — 
J. H. R. 



148 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

battle throughout the day to be very much in his 
favour, but that so soon as it was dusk the dis- 
affected officers promulgated the cry of " Sauve 
quipeut!" which spread such confusion and alarm 
throughout his whole line that it became impos- 
sible to counteract it, or to rally his troops, situated 
as they were. But, he said, had it been daylight 
an hour longer, he was positive the result would 
have been very different ; he further said that had 
he been able, when the alarm and confusion first 
took place, to have placed himself in a conspicuous 
situation in front, it would have insured the rally- 
ing of all his troops around him ; but as it was, 
treachery and darkness combined rendered his 
ruin inevitable. 1 He said that on the morning 
of June 1 8th he did not entertain the most distant 
idea that the Duke of Wellington would have 
willingly allowed him to have brought the English 
army to a decisive battle, and consequently he 
had been the more anxious to push on, and if 
possible to force it, considering nothing else could 

1 This is, of course, absurd. A prolongation of daylight 
would have made the Prussian pursuit even more effective 
than it was. This whole narration shows the chief cause of 
Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, namely, that he was a victim 
to his preconceived notions of the state of affairs. He gave 
battle without taking due thought of Bliicher, whom he 
believed hors de combat for some days after Ligny. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 149 

offer him a chance of surmounting the difficulties 
with which he was surrounded ; but, he added, 
could he have beaten the English army, he was 
positive scarcely one would have escaped being 
either killed or taken, in which case the Prussian 
army (having been already beaten on the 16th) 
must have made a precipitate retreat, or most 
probably would have been dispersed, and cer- 
tainly entirely disorganised. It was his intention 
then to have pushed on by forced marches to 
have met the Austrians before any junction could 
have been made between them and the Russians, 
which would have placed the game in his own 
hands, even if hostilities had been obstinately 
persevered in ; though in the state of things he 
had built on the idea that a victory over the 
English army in Belgium, with its immediate 
results, would have been sufficient to have pro- 
duced a change of administration in England, 
and have afforded him a chance of concluding an 
armistice, which he said was really his first object, 
as he felt that France was not equal to the efforts 
she was then making, and it was perfectly impos- 
sible for her to think of making any adequate 
resistance against the numerous forces of the 
allies, if once united and acting in concert against 
him. He said that things, however, having taken 



150 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

the turn they did against him, he was compelled 
to act as he had done, and he felt convinced that 
Great Britain had not pursued the wisest policy 
by refusing him an asylum, as he was ready to 
have pledged his honour, and would have done 
so, not to have quitted the kingdom, nor to have 
interfered in any manner directly or indirectly 
with the affairs of France, or in politics of any 
sort, unless hereafter requested so to do by our 
Government ; that the influence he had over the 
minds of the people of every description in France 
would have enabled him to have kept them quiet 
under whatever terms it might have been thought 
necessary for the future security of Europe to 
impose on France ; but that if terms at all re- 
pugnant to the vanity of the French nation were 
acquiesced in by the Bourbons, it would render 
them more unpopular than they even are at 
present, and that the people, sooner or later 
(waiting a favourable crisis), would rise en masse 
for their destruction. He said the disbanding of 
the French army was of little or no consequence, 
as the nation was now altogether military, and 
could always form into an army at any given 
signal. The admiral, in answer to the observa- 
tions he had made, said that after the events of 
latter years, he did not think the Government of 




NAPOLEON', ON BOARD THE BELLEROPHONT. 



Tofactpagttso. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 151 

Great Britain could be supposed to have sufficient 
reliance in him (Bonaparte) to have allowed him 
to take up his residence in England, due reference 
being had to the present state of affairs in France 
and to the feelings of the allies on the Continent, 
however conscious he himself might be of his own 
integrity and of the sacredness with which he 
would have observed any stipulations to which 
he would have pledged his word of honour. The 
admiral observed that he therefore was surprised 
at his not retiring in preference to Austria, where 
his connection with the emperor would have 
afforded him a strong claim to more distinguished 
reception and consideration. Bonaparte replied 
that had he gone to Austria he had no doubt but 
what he would have been received with every 
attention, but that he could not bring himself to 
submit to receive a favour from the Emperor of 
Austria after the manner in which he had now 
taken part against him, notwithstanding his former 
professions of affection, and his close connection 
with him, which latter, Bonaparte added, had not 
by any means been sought for by himself. He 
then gave the following curious relation respecting 
his marriage with Maria Louise. He said that, 
when at Erfurth, the Emperor Alexander took an 
opportunity one day of pressing upon him how 



152 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

important his having a legitimate heir must prove 
to the future repose of France and Europe, and 
Alexander therefore advised his setting aside 
Josephine, to which if he would consent the 
emperor offered him in marriage a Russian 
princess (he believed Princess Anne was named). 1 
But Bonaparte said he did not at the moment 
pay much attention ; for, having lived so long 
with Josephine in such harmony, and having so 
much reason to be satisfied with her, the idea of 
causing her pain disinclined him from entering 
further on the subject ; added to which, he said 
he was already well aware of the falseness of the 
character of the Emperor Alexander. He there- 
fore merely observed in reply that as he was 
living on the best possible terms with Josephine, 
he had never even thought of an arrangement of 
the nature mentioned by his imperial majesty. 
However, some time after, when at Paris, being 

1 This is false. Napoleon at Erfurt, in September, 1808 
was already contemplating a divorce, and therefore caused 
overtures to be made indirectly to the Czar Alexander with 
a view to a marriage alliance with a Russian grand duchess. 
Alexander waved aside the proposal, and caused his sister 
Catherine to be at once affianced to the Grand Duke of 
Oldenburg. The Grand Duchess Anne was then only 
fourteen years of age. See Vandal, "Napoleon et Alexandre," 
vol. i. pp. 471-2. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 153 

strongly urged by his own friends on the same 
point, and Josephine having herself assented, he 
sent to Russia to acquaint Alexander of his wish 
and readiness to espouse the Russian princess 
who had been proffered him when at Erfurth. 
This intimation, he said, the Russian Government 
received with every outward mark of satisfaction, 
professing its readiness to accede to the match, 
but at the same time starting difficulties upon 
various points, and most particularly with regard 
to securing the princess the right of exercising 
her own religion, to which end it was demanded 
that a Greek chapel might be established for her 
in the Tuileries. This, Bonaparte said, he did 
not care about himself ; but being a thing so 
uncustomary, added to other points requested by 
Russia, much discussion and many difficulties 
arose with regard to the Russian alliance, when 
some of his ministers, with Beauharnais, his son- 
in-law [sic], waited on him and pressed the 
advantage which miorht result should he consent 
to ask in marriage an Austrian princess, adding 
that the Austrian ambassador would readily 
engage for his court coming into any arrange- 
ment he (Bonaparte) might wish for this object. 
To which he replied, if such was the case, and 
the affair could be concluded at once, he should 



154 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

not on his part make objections to this new plan, 
and would give up the idea of forming a Russian 
alliance. This being the case, it was instantly- 
agreed upon to take the contract of marriage of 
Louis XIV. for a guide in arranging his with the 
Austrian princess ; and such was the expedition 
used that the necessary documents were prepared, 
signed, and sent off for the approbation of the 
Emperor of Austria before twelve o'clock that 
night. The latter acceded without hesitation to 
everything, and by his manner of forwarding it 
gave all reason to believe he was not only satis- 
fied, but most highly pleased with the arrange- 
ment ; and thus Bonaparte said he became the 
emperor's son-in-law without any other solicitation 
or intrigue on his part, and without having even 
once seen Maria Louise until she arrived in 
France as his wife. He therefore thought the 
emperor's conduct toward him since his reverses 
began was not in unison with his conduct or 
profession toward him in prosperity, or such as 
he had a right to expect from the father of his 
wife ; and consequently he said he would rather 
have gone anywhere in his distress, or have done 
anything, than have placed himself in a situation 
to have been obliged to ask protection as a favour 
from a prince who he thought had behaved toward 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 155 

him so unjustly. 1 He finished by saying he had 
been deceived by the English, but, harshly and 
unfairly as he considered himself treated by them, 
yet he found comfort from feeling that he was 
under the protection of British laws, which he 
could not have felt had he gone elsewhere, where 
his fate might have depended on the whim of the 
individual. He scarcely said anything as to his 
wish to have escaped to America, although in 
different conversations with his followers they 
have implied he was very anxious to get there 
and to live as a private individual without 
meddling with politics. He played his game 
of vingt-un as usual, and went to bed about ten 
o'clock. Our latitude and longitude to-day at 
noon were 42 59' N. and io° 42' W. 

August 17. — Light winds and pleasant weather. 
This day the Peruvian rejoined us from Guernsey, 
where she had been sent for French wines. 
Captain White having brought some French news- 
papers, they were read with avidity by our guests. 
At dinner Bonaparte remarked that the presidents 
des ddpartements et des arrondissements appointed 
by Louis were with very few exceptions the same 

1 This refers to the Emperor Francis. At Plymouth, also, 
during his interview with Lord Keith as to his destination, 
Napoleon exclaimed, " Russie ! Dieu m'en garde." — J. H. R. 



156 NAPOLEOJSTS LAST VOYAGES 

persons that he (Bonaparte) should have appointed 
had he continued in power. In the evening, when 
talking of himself, he told the admiral that he had 
been placed in chief command as a general officer 
at the age of twenty-four ; that he made the 
conquest of Italy when he was twenty-five ; ' that 
he had risen from nothing to be sovereign of his 
country (as consul) at thirty, and that if chance 
had caused him to be killed the day after he 
entered Moscow, that his would have been a 
career of advancement and uninterrupted success 
without parallel; and he said the very misfortunes 
which afterwards befell the French army would 
in such case most probably have tended rather to 
the advantage than disadvantage of his fame, as, 
however inevitable they were, they would have 
been attributed to his loss, rather than to their 
true cause. 

We played our usual game of vingt-un, and 
Bonaparte quitted the table abruptly, and went 
to bed earlier than usual. Our latitude and 
longitude this day at noon were 41 tf' N. and 
ii° 11' W. 

August 18. — Moderate weather. Bonaparte 
renewed his questions to-day relative to the Cape, 

1 These statements give his age as two years less than he 
was in the autumn of 1795 and of 1796. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 157 

and asked particularly whether any caravans went 
from thence to Egypt, and whether any person 
had ever penetrated across the country. In the 
evening he talked much with the admiral about 
the Queen of Naples, saying he had had much 
correspondence with her, as well while she was in 
Sicily as in Naples ; that his general advice to 
her was to remain quiet, and not interfere with 
the arrangements of the greater powers of Europe. 1 
By letters received from his wife he learned that 
after the Queen of Naples had returned to Vienna 
she had taken great notice of, and had been very 
kind to, his son ; and that in a conversation she 
had with his wife, she had asked her why she 
did not follow him (Bonaparte) to Elba. Maria 
Louise answered that she wished to do so, but 
that her father and mother would not allow her. 
The Queen of Naples interrogated her as to 
whether she really liked him, when, being an- 
swered in the affirmative, and Maria Louise 
speaking further in his favour, the queen said to 
her, " My child, when one has the happiness to 

1 This was Maria Carolina, consort of the Bourbon king, 
Ferdinand IV. It is known that while in Sicily, under the 
protection of a British force, she intrigued with the French. 
Ultimately, Lord William Bentinck had her sent away from 
the island. She died in Austria on September 7, 18 14. — 
J. H. R. 



158 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

be married to such a man, papas and mamas 
should not keep one away from him whilst there 
are windows and sheets by which an escape to 
him might be effected." 

In the course of the evening he told the 
admiral he considered the Russians and Poles to 
be decidedly a braver race of people than all the 
rest of Europe, except the French and English, 
and in particular very far superior to the Aus- 
trians. He said the Emperor of Austria possessed 
neither firmness nor stability of character ; that 
the King of Prussia was un pauvre bite; that 
the Emperor Alexander was a more active and 
clever man than any of the other sovereigns of 
Europe, but that he was extremely false. He 
asked the admiral if he was aware that, when in 
friendship with him at Erfurth, he had signed 
with him a joint letter to the King of England to 
require the relinquishing of the right of maritime 
visitation of neutrals. 1 He said that Russia was 
much to be feared if Poland was not preserved in 

1 This was on October 12, 1808. The chief demand of 
the Emperors in their joint note was to obtain from George III. 
a recognition of the existing boundaries (implicitly) and the 
abandonment of the Spanish patriots. It contained no 
reference to the British maritime code. See the note in 
Vandal's "Napoleon et Alexandre," vol. i. pp. 483-4- — 
J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 159 

an independent state, to be a barrier between 
Russia and the rest of Europe. He added, how- 
ever, that whatever might be decided on this 
subject at the congress, he did not think that 
Russia would succeed in making Poland an 
appendage to that empire, the Poles being too 
brave and too determined ever to be brought to 
submit quietly to what they considered as dis- 
grace and national degradation. Bonaparte spoke 
in high terms of the King of Saxony, and said he 
was the only sovereign who had kept faith with 
him to the last. In the course of conversation he 
mentioned that the Bourbons were most cordially 
hated in France, and that nothing but the allied 
forces could keep them on the throne ; that the 
nation might be quiet for a short time, but that 
in a few years there would, in his opinion, be a 
general insurrection. We played as usual at 
vingt-un until near ten, when Bonaparte retired. 
Our latitude and longitude this day at noon were 
48 50' N. and n° 20' W. 

August 19. — We had light airs and pleasant 
weather. Our guests were all in good humour. 
General Gourgaud, who was one of Bonaparte's 
aides-de-camp at the battle of Waterloo, per- 
sisted that, whatever Bonaparte might say to the 
contrary, he did mistake the Prussian army for 



160 NAPOLEOJSTS LAST VOYAGES 

General Grouchy's division, and he attributed 
their disasters in a great measure to that mistake. 
He boasted much of the exploits of that day ; 
amongst other vauntings he declared that at one 
time he might have taken the Duke of Welling- 
ton a prisoner, but he desisted from it, knowing 
the effusion of blood it would have occasioned. 1 

Bonaparte to-day gave the admiral an amusing 
account of his being admitted a Mussulman when 
in Egypt. He said the sheiks and other chiefs 
there had many consultations on the subject, but 
at last they admitted him and his followers among 
the faithful, and with express permission to drink 
wine, provided that on opening every bottle they 
would determine to do some good action. Bona- 
parte requiring an explanation of what was in- 
tended by the term good action, the head sheik 
informed him such as giving charity to people in 
distress, digging a well in a desert, building a 
mosque, and such like. He said that had he 
continued in Egypt, things would not have taken 
the turn they did ; that Kleber was an excellent 
man and good soldier, but that he did not under- 
stand or try to manage 2 the people of the country, 

1 Of course this gasconnade is not to be taken seriously. — 
J. H. R. 

2 " Manage " is evidently Cockburn's or Glover's translation 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 161 

and that his assassination was caused by his having 
beaten one of the principal sheiks, which was 
considered an indignity to the whole. Bonaparte 
said that General Menou, who succeeded Kleber, 
was a brave man, but without abilities. He also 
stated that the Turks have at different times sent 
persons to murder him (Bonaparte), but that the 
people of the country, from his having humoured 
them, invariably gave him sufficient warning and 
prevented the assassins getting near him ; whereas 
he said the man who killed Kleber (who did not 
attempt to gain the good opinion of the country) 
was suffered to hide himself in Kleber's garden, 
and when the general was walking there alone, 
the assassin sprang upon him unawares, and 
stabbed him, after which, instead of attempting 
to escape, he sat down at one end of the garden 
until he was taken by the generals guard, which 
was almost immediately after he had perpetrated 
the deed. However, Marechal Bertrand, who 
relates this event in a very similar manner, affirms 
that the assassin did attempt to escape, and that 
after a strict search he was found concealed in a 
well in the garden. Bonaparte, in answer to some 

of the French word manager, which is better rendered 
"humour." Kleber was murdered by a Moslem fanatic on 
June 14, 1800.- — J. H. R. 

n 



i6 2 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

questions put to him by the admiral, said that if 
everything had even turned out in Egypt equal 
to the most sanguine hopes and wishes he enter- 
tained on sailing for that country, yet that never- 
theless he should have returned as he did, in 
consequence of the information he received from 
France. 

Bonaparte played at vingt-un as usual, and was 
in uncommon high spirits. Our latitude and 
longitude to-day at noon were 39 9/ N. and 
n° 26' W. 

August 20. — The weather continued fine, but 
we had much swell, to which I attributed Bona- 
parte's not walking before dinner. Divine service 
was performed, but not one of our guests had the 
curiosity to witness the ceremony. At dinner 
Bonaparte asked the clergyman many questions 
relative to the Protestant religion, and in what it 
differed from the Roman Catholic. He walked 
after dinner, and then went direct to his sleeping- 
cabin without playing at cards. Our latitude 
and longitude to-day were 2>7° l 9 f N. and 
12 14/ W. 

August 21. — Our weather continued much the 
same. Captain Hamilton of the Havannak, and 
Captain Mansel of the 53rd, dined with us, and 
Bonaparte, who was in very good spirits, con- 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 163 

versed more than usual, asking numerous ques- 
tions on various trifling subjects. We assembled 
at the card-table earlier than usual, and the game 
was changed from vingt-un to lottery, and we 
became as noisy a group as ever assembled on 
such an occasion. Our latitude and longitude 
to-day at noon were 35 56' N. and 13 16' W. 

August 22. — We got the north-east wind which 
usually prevails in these latitudes, with fine 
weather. Bonaparte requested the admiral to 
write for some books for him from Madeira. At 
dinner he asked many questions about the dif- 
ferent islands in the Atlantic, particularly to what 
nations they belonged, on which points his 
ignorance was most glaring. Talking of the 
West Indies, he said that had he continued at 
the head of the French Government, he never 
would have attempted the re-occupation of St. 
Domingo ; that the most he would have estab- 
lished with regard to that island would have 
been to keep frigates and sloops stationed around 
it to force the blacks to receive everything they 
wanted from, and to export all their produce 
exclusively to, France ; for, he added, he con- 
sidered the independence of the blacks there to 
be more likely to prove detrimental to England 
than to France. This latter remark is a reitera- 



i6 4 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

tion of his feelings with respect to England, as in 
all the calculations he makes, the proportion of 
evil which may accrue to our nation seems to 
bear in his mind the first consideration. In the 
evening we played at vingt-un, and he retired 
about his usual hour. Our latitude and longitude 
to-day were at noon 34 58' N. and 13 31' W. 

August 23. — Our north-east wind veered to the 
east, freshened, and the weather became hot, 
hazy, and unpleasant. About two o'clock we 
made Porto Santo, and afterward Madeira. 
Bonaparte did not walk before dinner ; at the 
meal he appeared pensive and out of spirits. He 
asked the admiral some questions relative to 
Madeira, as to its extent, how long it had been 
discovered, and by whom. Immediately after 
dinner he went on the poop, and observed the 
island very particularly as we ran along it until 
we brought to off Funchal after dark, when he 
went to the after cabin ; and after playing a few 
games at piquet with Madame Montholon, he 
retired to his own cabin, evidently out of sorts. 
This day at noon we were about nine leagues 
E.S.E. of Porto Santo. 

August 24. — We remained lying to off Funchal, 
the Havannah and troop-ships anchored in the 
roads to procure water and some cattle, and I 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 165 

went on shore to procure some wine and fruit. 
Mr. Veitch, His Majesty's consul, visited the ship, 
of whom Bonaparte asked numerous questions 
with respect to the island, its produce, the height 
above the level of the sea, its population, &c. 
Mr. Veitch dined on board, and after dinner 
Bonaparte walked with him and the admiral a 
considerable time, conversing on general topics, 
when he retired at once to his bedroom without 
joining the card-table. This day at noon we lay 
to off the town of Funchal, Madeira. 

August 25.— We had a continuation of the 
violent and most disagreeable siroc wind, which 
commenced on our first making the island ; and 
such was the superstition of the inhabitants, that 
they attributed this destructive siroc to Bona- 
parte being off the island, and were extremely 
apprehensive that their crops, which were nearly 
ripe, would be more than half destroyed. The 
frigate and troop-ships did not join until about 
three o'clock, having been much retarded by the 
violence of the weather in procuring supplies, 
which supplies, owing to the same cause, took us 
until dark in receiving, after which we made sail 
to the southward. The heat of the siroc, and 
the disagreeable nature of the wind, added to the 
motion of the ship, which was very considerable, 



1 66 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

evidently affected General Bonaparte. At dinner 
he ate very little, and was out of spirits ; this 
evening he played at vingt-un for about half an 
hour only, and then retired to his bedroom. 
During the day, at the recommendation of the 
admiral, he had his standing bed-place removed, 
taking a large cot in its stead. This day at 
noon we were about seven leagues S.W. of 
Madeira. 

August 26. — Though the wind continued from 
the east, its siroc qualities had left it, to our great 
relief, and this proved a cool, pleasant day, with 
little or no motion. This change brought General 
Bonaparte out of his cabin earlier than usual, and 
he appeared in better health than he had been for 
some days. Having been on shore, he asked me 
what number of priests and churches there were 
at Funchal, and if there was any theatre. After 
dinner he walked a considerable time with the 
admiral, talking generally of the affairs of Europe, 
and, among other things, he told the admiral he 
had observed in some of the French papers 
brought from Guernsey that the King of Prussia 
was about to change the nature of his govern- 
ment, and to admit a national representation in it, 
which he foretold would produce the greatest 
difficulties both to the King of Prussia and the 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 167 

Emperor of Austria. 1 He said he knew there 
were many revolutionary spirits in both those 
countries, and that the nations of the Continent 
were not adapted for a representative government 
like England. On the admiral's remarking that 
he had, however, adopted it in the constitution 
which he had himself established in France, he 
acknowledged he had done so, but added that it 
was not because he considered it a wise measure 
for the nation, but because his situation at the 
moment required him to yield this point to the 
popular feeling, and it being, he said, at the time 
his particular interest to substantiate any innova- 
tions, and, in short, whatever differed essentially 
from the old system of government, thereby to 
render more difficult the restoration of the former 
order of things, and therewith the dynasty of the 
Bourbons. He went again over the old ground 
of the military bias of the French nation, and the 
impolicy of exasperating the French people. He 
spoke much of their determined aversion to the 
Bourbons, which he said could not but be 
materially increased by the idea of that family 
being again put in possession of the government 
by means of foreign troops, who had carried ruin 
and devastation into the greater part of the 
1 This rumour proved to be incorrect. — J. H. R. 



1 68 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

country. Therefore he was quite sure the 
troubles of France were by no means at an end ; 
they might be said to be smothered for the 
moment by terror, and by the presence of the 
allied troops, but if these forces withdrew from 
the country whilst the recollection of recent 
events remained fresh in the minds of the people, 
he averred that a general insurrection in France 
would take place immediately, and it would cause 
much difficulty and bloodshed ere it could be 
again suppressed. In the course of conversation 
he mentioned that he had left his brother Jerome 
at Paris, who had determined to remain there in 
disguise for some time until he saw the turn affairs 
were likely to take ; he added that he did not 
know what had become of him (Jerome) after- 
ward, as of course he had not been able to hear 
from him since. 1 After his walk with the admiral 
he went into the after cabin, and before we had 
formed our card-party he retired to his sleeping- 
cabin. Our latitude and longitude this day at 
noon were 30 53' N. and 17 22' W. 

August 27. — General Bonaparte walked some 
time with the admiral, during which he mentioned 

1 Jerome Bonaparte, after Waterloo, retired to Wiirtemberg 
with his consort, a princess of that kingdom. He was for 
some time kept under some measure of constraint. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 169 

his having expended ,£3,000,000 sterling in the 
improvements at Cherbourg ; that he had con- 
structed there a basin, or rather a kind of inner 
harbour (as it was without gates), which could 
contain thirty sail of the line, and had fifty feet of 
depth at low water. The outer road, which he 
said was now perfectly safe in all winds, would 
also contain thirty sail of the line more. He had 
arranged everything for building ships there, and, 
in short, for making it a naval port of the first 
rank, and he added that he conceived such an 
establishment so situated would have caused us 
much difficulty with regard to our possessions of 
Jersey and Guernsey. The only thing he dreaded 
relative to this establishment, and which he was 
therefore taking every precaution to avert, was 
our getting momentary possession of the place by 
a coup de main at any favourable juncture, in 
which case he was aware that a few barrels of 
gunpowder scientifically placed might destroy in 
an instant what had cost so much time, expense, 
and labour to complete. This evening he played 
until about nine, and then retired to his cabin. 
To-day at noon we were about four leagues west 
of Gomera, with a fresh breeze from the north- 
east, running between the islands at the rate of 
about eleven miles an hour. 



170 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

August 28. — Our north-east wind continued, 
but not so fresh as yesterday. The weather 
became hot, the thermometer being from 7 8° to 
8o°. General Bonaparte was particularly serious 
the whole of the day, and General Bertrand was 
very much out of sorts, in consequence of the 
admiral having refused to allow lights to be burnt 
in the sleeping-cabins all night. In the evening 
Bonaparte played at whist for a short time, and 
that very badly, and then retired to his sleeping- 
cabin. Our latitude and longitude this day at 
noon were 24 23' N. and 20 23' W. 

August 29. — We had moderate weather, with 
much swell. General Bonaparte complained 
much of the heat, and sat in his sleeping-cabin 
en chemise with the door open, reading till about 
two o'clock, when he made his toilet, and then 
came into the after cabin, where he played at 
chess until dinner-time. Of late he has taken no 
exercise excepting a short walk after dinner, and 
even during this walk he generally leans half his 
time against one or other of the guns. In the 
evening he did not join the card-party, but played 
at chess with General Montholon. Our latitude 
and longitude this day at noon were 24 23' N. 
and 20 23' W. 

August 30. — We had a fresh trade-wind, with 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 171 

disagreeable weather and heavy swell, which 
caused the ship to roll considerably. General 
Bonaparte seemed to suffer much from these 
causes ; he ate very little, seemed disinclined to 
enter into conversation, and, after being a short 
time on deck after dinner, he retired to his own 
cabin without playing either at cards or chess. 
Our latitude and longitude this day at noon were 
22 27' N. and 22 12' W. 

August 31. — The fresh trade- wind and swell 
continued. The general, however, appeared 
better, though the rolling of the ship seemed still 
to affect him. In conversation with the admiral 
he mentioned that when his army in Egypt was 
seriously visited by the plague, the soldiers, and 
indeed the officers, became so disheartened that 
as general-in-chief he found it absolutely part 
of his duty to endeavour to give them con- 
fidence and reanimate them by visiting frequently 
the hospitals, and talking to and cheering the 
different patients. He said he caught the dis- 
order himself, but recovered again quickly. 1 This 
evening Bonaparte played chess, and was in 
very good spirits. Our latitude and longitude 
to-day at noon were 19 55' N. and 25 43' W. 

1 It is more than doubtful whether Bonaparte had the 
plague even in its lightest form. — J. H. R. 



172 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

September i. — We had a fresh trade-wind, 
accompanied with uncommonly thick weather, 
which prevented our making the island of St. 
Antonio as soon as was expected ; but just as the 
sun set we found ourselves close to the south- 
west end of it, not having been able previously 
to discern any part. We brought to, with the 
intention of communicating with the islands in 
the morning, and of waiting for the Peruvian and 
Zenobia, which had been sent ahead to recon- 
noitre, and to search for a convenient watering- 
place. During this forenoon Bonaparte asked 
many questions relative to the Cape de Verde 
Islands. He also made some minute inquiries at 
dinner relative to the nature and cause of the Gulf 
Stream. This evening he played a rubber at 
whist, and then retired to his sleeping-cabin. 
Our latitude and longitude to-day at noon were 
1 7° 45' N. and 25 4' W. 

September 2. — During the night it blew a 
heavy gale of wind, and our party were much 
alarmed. Soon after daylight the wind veered 
from north-east to east and from east to south- 
east and south, still blowing so hard as to render 
it impracticable to communicate with the islands. 
About noon the two brigs rejoined without 
having been able to procure anything what- 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 173 

ever, and giving an unfavourable report as to 
any chance of procuring water. We made sail 
to the southward and westward, the squadron 
being put to short allowance of water. General 
Bonaparte, in spite of the weather, made his 
appearance at dinner ; but owing to the motion, 
he did not seem to enjoy himself, entering very 
little into conversation. This evening we played 
a short time at piquet. This day at noon we 
were about seven leagues off the south-west end 
of St. Antonio. Our latitude was 17 6' N. 

September 3. — The wind continued to the 
north-east, and became light, baffling, and calm, 
with very hot weather, the thermometer being 
from 82 to 83 throughout the day. Bonaparte 
complained much of the heat. To-day, in talking 
over the affairs of France, amongst other things 
he said that after his arrival at Paris from Elba 
he had received assurances from the King of 
Spain, and from the Portuguese, that whatever 
appearances they might be forced to make, he 
might depend on their not taking any active 
offensive part against him. 1 Bonaparte played 
cards this evening for about an hour, and then 

1 Spain in 1815 joined the coalition of the Powers against 
Napoleon almost at once, and prepared to send an army 
to invade France. — J. H. R. 



i74 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

retired to his cabin. Latitude and longitude this 
day at noon, i6° 15' N. 20 30' W. 

September 4. — Fine weather, with a moderate 
breeze from the north-east. General Bonaparte 
made his appearance in the after cabin earlier 
than usual, where he amused himself at chess 
until dinner-time. He was very cheerful at 
dinner, and after it he walked for a considerable 
time with the admiral, during which he related 
the Jaffa poisoning story, his statement of which 
was that, finding himself compelled to evacuate 
Jaffa, and leave it to be taken possession of by 
the troops of Djezza Pacha (whose cruelty of 
character was well known, and who invariably 
mutilated in the most barbarous manner such 
prisoners as fell into their hands), he ordered off 
before him all the sick of the army which could 
be moved, to facilitate which he even lent his 
own horses. 1 When the chief surgeon repre- 
sented to him that there were a few Frenchmen 
in such an advanced state of the plague that 
there did not remain even a probability of their 
recovering, and that the attempting to move 
them with the rest would endanger the whole 

1 After leaving Acre, and again after Jaffa, Bonaparte 
proceeded some way on foot so as to hasten the progress of 
the convoy of wounded. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 175 

army, Bonaparte, well knowing that if these 
unfortunate wretches fell into the hands of 
Djezza Pacha every possible cruelty would be 
practised on them in their last moments, asked 
the physician whether under the existing circum- 
stances it would not be an act of charity to 
accelerate their death by opium ; and on the 
physician declaring he did not feel himself 
justified in adopting this proposed measure, he 
(General Bonaparte) ordered a council of all 
the medical men in the army to be assembled, 
to ascertain, in the first place, whether the 
removal of these people or of any of them 
might be effected without endangering in an 
unwarrantable degree the remainder of the 
army, and whether there existed any chance of 
adequate benefit accruing to them if their 
removal should be attempted. In the next 
place, if the council agreed on the absolute 
necessity of leaving some behind, then to con- 
sider whether it would not be better for the 
individuals themselves to relieve them of their 
sufferings by administering opium, rather than 
to leave them in the state they were to be tor- 
mented in their last moments by the cruelty of 
their implacable enemies, into whose hands they 
would inevitably be doomed to fall. He said this 



176 NAPOLEON 'S LAST VOYAGES 

council was public, everybody knew what passed 
in it, and he therefore had been surprised at the 
many contradictory and ridiculous stories which 
he knew had got abroad respecting this transac- 
tion. He added that after this medical council 
had finished their deliberations, they reported to 
him it was their decided and unanimous opinion 
that these people ought not on any account to be 
removed, and that although they were of opinion 
there did not exist a possibility of their recovery, 
yet the majority of the council could not bear the 
idea of adopting such a measure as accelerating 
the death of an individual under their charge, 
however desperate his case might be ; but they 
further stated that they had every reason to 
believe all difficulties on this head would cease 
by the natural consequences of the disease under 
which these poor fellows laboured, if the general 
could so arrange as to retain the place forty-eight 
hours longer, at the expiration of which time they 
considered it scarcely possible that one of them 
could remain alive. On receiving this report, 
Bonaparte instantly determined on retaining 
Jaffa the time specified by the council, and he 
continued in it himself with the whole army 
twenty-four hours, and then left a strong rear- 
guard to hold it the other twenty-four hours, at 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 177 

the expiration of which time, he said, the predic- 
tion of the council was pretty well verified by the 
death of almost every one of the patients in ques- 
tion, and that the two or three who were left were 
in the very last possible stage. (This latter part 
of the statement was corroborated by Captain 
Beattie of the marines, serving on board the 
Northumberland, who at that time belonged to 
the Theseus, and who was one of the first who 
entered Jaffa after the French had quitted it, and 
even before the troops of Djezza Pacha. He 
states there were only three or four Frenchmen 
found alive in Jaffa, and those in the last stage of 
the plague. Captain Beattie also states that he 
heard nothing of the Jaffa poisoning story until 
he returned to England. 1 ) Bonaparte further 
stated that he considered the measure he wished 
to have adopted as being more worthy of praise 
than the contrary, and said that had he been one 
of those afflicted, he should have considered it the 
greatest act of kindness to be so dealt with, rather 

1 Sir Sidney Smith, on landing at Jaffa, found seven 
of the French plague-stricken still alive in hospital. The 
story about the giving the sick at Jaffa an overdose of opium 
seems to have originated with Miot, a commissary of the 
French army. Sir Robert Wilson afterwards repeated it. 
The French physician with the expedition, Larrey, refuted 
it.— J. H. R. 



178 NAPOLEOJSTS LAST VOYAGES 

than to be left to be tormented by the wanton 
savages of Djezza Pacha's army. Such is the 
statement from this man of the Jaffa story, which 
has caused so much talk. Bonaparte walked 
this evening much later than usual, and retired 
at once to his own cabin. Our latitude and 
longitude to-day at noon were 15 34' N. and 
26° 36' W. 

September 5. — We had light winds with exceed- 
ing hot weather. Among other conversation to- 
day, Bonaparte recounted to the admiral the 
following particulars of what passed between 
him and the Queen of Prussia at Tilsit, when 
(to solicit that Magdebourg might be left to 
Prussia) she joined the royal party there. He 
stated that had she arrived sooner, it is probable 
she would have gained her point in this particu- 
lar, not only by reason of the great advantage an 
extremely clever and fine woman of high rank 
must always have when personally urging any 
suit she has much at heart, but also from the 
inclination he (Bonaparte) then had to meet as 
far as he conveniently could the wishes of the 
Emperor Alexander, who, he did not hesitate in 
affirming, was at the time a strongly attached and 
much-favoured admirer of her Prussian Majesty. 
It was, he said, owing to the King of Prussia 






TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 179 

being apprised of this latter circumstance, and 
consequently being extremely jealous of the 
Emperor of Russia, that the former prevented 
the queen from coming sooner to Tilsit ; and 
not until the Prussian ministers, toward the 
closing of the arrangements, urged him in the 
strongest manner to send for her, that they 
might have the benefit of her abilities and 
influence to second their endeavours to obtain 
better terms for Prussia, to which the king at 
last consented. When she arrived, the whole 
party being to dine with him (Bonaparte), she 
was introduced before dinner, and entered with 
great vivacity and ability on the subject of the 
approaching treaty, and strongly solicited as a 
personal favour to herself that he would consent 
to leaving Magdebourg to Prussia, which she 
said would bind her family to him by the 
strongest ties of gratitude and respect. 1 Bona- 
parte said her Majesty pressed her suit warmly 
and cleverly, but he merely replied to all she 
said in general terms of civility, and avoided 
giving her any decided answer, or entering at 

1 By the terms of the Treaty of Tilsit (July 7, 1807), 
Prussia ceded her lands west of the River Elba (including 
Magdeburg) to the new Kingdom of Westphalia, ruled over 
by Jerome Bonaparte. — J. H. R. 



180 NAPOLEONS LAST VOYAGES 

all with her into the merits of the question, 
notwithstanding which it was evident by her 
behaviour at dinner that she entertained san- 
guine hopes of succeeding. He said she sat 
between the Emperor of Russia and himself, 
and although most elegant and amiable in her 
manners, she did not for a moment lose sight 
of the object she had in view. At the dessert, 
on his offering her a rose he took out of a vase 
near him, she on taking it asked if she might 
consider it as a token of friendship and of his 
having acceded to her request. Being, how- 
ever, he said, upon his guard, and resolved not 
to be thus caught by surprise, he parried this 
attack with some general remarks respecting the 
light in which alone civilities of this description 
should be regarded, and then he turned the 
conversation. 

Notwithstanding this, however, and his having 
been extremely cautious throughout the evening 
not to allow anything to escape which might in 
the slightest degree authorise the queen to 
believe him inclined to yield to her solicitation, 
yet when she went away she appeared to be 
well satisfied and to have persuaded herself 
that her endeavours were not to prove unsuc- 
cessful. Bonaparte said that, thinking it would 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 181 

be therefore impolitic to leave the question any 
longer open for discussion, he caused the treaty 
to be signed at once on the next morning, and, of 
course, without any alterations in it in favour 
of Prussia. When the queen came the next 
day to dinner, he said she evidently showed her- 
self piqued and much hurt, but she behaved 
with great dignity, and did not once allude to 
the treaty, nor to anything which had passed 
respecting it, until going away, when, as Bona- 
parte was handing her to her carriage, she 
mentioned to him how much he had disappointed 
her by the refusal of her request, and that had 
he complied, it would have attached the whole 
family to him for ever, and so forth ; to which he 
only answered that he should ever consider it as 
one of the greatest misfortunes of his life that 
it had not been within his power to obey her 
Majesty's commands in this affair, begging her, 
however, to believe it would always afford him 
the highest gratification to be able to meet any 
wish of hers, and adding more civil speeches of 
this kind (saying, with a self-applauding smile), 
" Mais tout cela n'^tait pas Magdebourg ") ; and 
having reached the carriage, he put her into it, 
bid her good-night, and left her. He added that 
previous, however, to her driving off, she sent for 



1 82 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

Duroc (the grand marechal of the palace) to her 
carriage, when, giving vent to her feelings, which 
she had till then stifled, she could not refrain from 
tears whilst complaining to him of her great 
disappointment, saying how much she had been 
deceived in Bonaparte's character, and hurt by 
what had passed. Early the next morning he 
said he received a message from her to say that, 
being taken suddenly ill, she had been compelled 
to quit Tilsit and return home ; and thus, he said, 
Magdebourg was retained, though perhaps he 
had suffered somewhat by it in the good graces 
of her Prussian Majesty. He said he thought 
her a most elegant, engaging woman, and as 
handsome as could be expected for thirty-five 
years of age. He spoke, however, very badly 
of her character as a wife, and particularly with 
reference to the Emperor Alexander, to oblige 
whom he mentioned (laughing heartily as he did 
so) that he detained the King of Prussia a whole 
day by announcing an intention of paying him a 
formal visit, of which the Emperor Alexander 
took a premeditated advantage by setting off to 
obtain thereby an uninterrupted tUe-a-tete with 
the queen. 1 Bonaparte played cards this evening 
for about an hour, and retired to his own cabin. 
1 There is no truth in these malicious insinuations. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 183 

Our latitude and longitude to-day at noon were 
1 3 58' N. and 25 30' W. 

September 6. — The trade-wind continued until 
about four in the afternoon, when we had ex- 
cessive heavy rain. Bonaparte, who was in very 
good spirits, had no sooner eaten his dinner than, 
to the surprise of all, he got up to take his usual 
walk on deck, notwithstanding it was still pouring 
with rain ; and on the admiral remarking to him 
the same, and advising him not to go out, he 
treated it lightly, and said the rain would not hurt 
him more than the sailors whom he saw on deck 
catching the rain and running about in it. The 
admiral no longer opposed him, and out he went, 
accompanied by Bertrand and Las Cases, who 
though obliged to attend him, seemed by no 
means to enjoy the idea of the wetting they were 
doomed to undergo. It required but a short 
time to obtain a complete soaking, which the trio 
did, and Bonaparte then retired to his own cabin, 
from which he did not make his appearance during 
the evening. Our latitude and longitude at noon 
were 12 41' N. and 23 55' W. 

September 7 and 8. — We had moderate weather, 
with occasional showers, which kept the air cool. 
Nothing occurred worthy of remark. Our latitude 
and longitude at noon on the seventh were 1 2 2' 



1 84 NAPOLEONS LAST VOYAGES 

N. and 2 2° 59' W. Fine weather with south- 
south-west winds. Bonaparte, in conversing with 
the admiral to-day, mentioned many of the leading 
characters in England. He stated particularly the 
high respect he entertained for the character of 
the late Lord Cornwallis, whose manners and 
behaviour at Amiens he spoke of as being most 
noble and honourable to himself and the country. 1 
He spoke in equal terms of panegyric of Mr. 
Fox, with whom he said he had had much con- 
versation when he was in France. 2 He said he 
had formed a great friendship for Captain Ussher, 
who had conveyed him to Elba, and added that 
he had hoped to have seen him at Paris ; that he 
had confidently looked for a visit from him there, 
and was much disappointed at his not coming to 
see him in his prosperity, as he had commenced 
an acquaintance with him in his adversity. He 



1 On March 24, 1802, Cornwallis promised the French 
plenipotentiary at Amiens, Joseph Bonaparte, to sign the 
treaty as it then stood. He then received contrary instructions 
from Downing Street, but signed the treaty with France on 
March 25, as he felt himself bound by his promise of the 
night before. — J. H. R. 

2 Fox was presented to the First Consul at the Tuileries 
in September, 1802, during the Peace of Amiens. The Whig 
orator was not favourably impressed by him. See " Memoirs 
of Charles James Fox," by J. B. Trotter, chap. xii. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 185 

spoke of many others, but not by any means in a 
flattering strain. This evening he amused himself 
by playing at whist, and retired at his usual hour. 
Our latitude and longitude this day at noon were 
1 1° 43' N. and 22 47' W. 

September 9. — The south-south-west wind con- 
tinued, with moderate and cool weather. Bona- 
parte spent his forenoon in playing at chess. In 
the evening he told the admiral that whilst he 
was at Paris he gained possession of a corre- 
spondence for a foreign royal personage of high 
consideration in England, which spoke in very 
disrespectful terms of different branches of our 
royal family ; that he (Bonaparte) had been on 
the point of publishing these letters in the 
Moniteur, but had desisted, or rather recalled 
them from the publisher, at the earnest inter- 
cession of, and from consideration of, the person 
by whose means he obtained them. 1 Bonaparte 
played this evening again at whist, and seems to 
have neglected his favourite game of vingt-un. 
Our latitude and longitude at noon were 1 i c 24' N. 
and 21 37' W. 

September 10 and 11. — We had continued fine, 

1 These letters probably referred to the Prince Regent and 
his consort, afterwards Queen Caroline; her doings already 
caused much scandal. — J. H. R. 



1 86 NAPOLEOJSTS LAST VOYAGE 

pleasant weather. Bonaparte to-day in his con- 
versation merely asked general questions as to 
the progress we had made in our voyage, and the 
probable time of the duration of it, the distance 
we were from the coast of Africa, and what was 
the nearest part. In the evening he played at 
cards, and retired at his usual hour. Our latitude 
and longitude to-day at noon were io° 1 1' N. and 
20° 56' W. 

We advanced pleasantly on our voyage. Bona- 
parte, in conversation to-day with the admiral re- 
specting England, said that had he succeeded in 
his attempt of invasion, and had reached London, 
his chief object and first endeavour would have 
been to have there concluded a peace, which he 
said should have immediately been offered on 
" moderate terms " ; but what under those circum- 
stances he would have considered moderate terms, 
the admiral could not draw from him. He, how- 
ever, stated the relinquishment of the right of 
maritime visitation of neutrals as one of the points 
he would have insisted on. 1 In the evening, when 
we had assembled at the card-table, he took up a 
small book of Persian tales, with which he amused 

1 It is well known that Bonaparte determined to have the 
chief British Colonial possessions, especially in the East 
Indies and North America, along with Malta. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 187 

himself in reading aloud to the company, making 
his comments on these tales, and laughing heartily 
at many parts of them. He reads very distinctly, 
much slower than he speaks, and with good 
emphasis ; but in conversation at times it is 
difficult to follow him, from the quick manner in 
which he utters with a peculiar pronunciation. 
After reading for about two hours, and some 
commonplace conversation, he retired to his own 
cabin. Our latitude and longitude to-day at noon 
were 8° 48' N. and 19 39/ W. 

September 12. — We had a continuation of fine 
and pleasant weather. Having caught a shark 
to-day, Bonaparte, with the eagerness of a school- 
boy, scrambled on the poop to see it. It was 
not a large one, not being more than twelve feet 
long ; it, however, was sufficiently so to astonish 
our French party. Our catching this shark was 
the subject of conversation at dinner, when Bona- 
parte asked what was the size of sharks in general, 
as also that of whales, the nature of them, the 
method of catching them, and other similar ques- 
tions. In the evening we played at vingt-un for 
about an hour, and Bonaparte retired about his 
usual time. Our latitude and longitude to-day at 
noon were 8° 2' N. and 18 i' W. 

September 13. — We had moderate weather, 



188 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

with south-south-west winds. Bonaparte made 
his appearance in the after cabin and played at 
piquet until dinner-time, during which he con- 
versed relative to the Russian campaign, princi- 
pally as to the force employed. After dinner he 
walked a considerable time with the admiral, con- 
versing on the same subject, whom he assured in 
the strongest manner that the only objects he had 
when he undertook the Russian expedition, and 
all he should have asked had he been successful, 
was the independence of Poland (to which nation 
he intended leaving the free choice of their own 
king, only recommending to them Poniatowski 
as worthy of such distinction), and to make the 
Emperor of Russia engage to join firmly in the 
Continental system against commercial intercourse 
of any sort with England, until its Government 
should be brought to agree to what he termed the 
" independence of the seas." Bonaparte, how- 
ever, subsequently, when talking of Moscow, let 
escape that he had procured there emissaries to 
disperse throughout the country amongst the 
Russian peasantry to bias them in his favour and 
against their own Government, to explain to them 
the miseries they suffered from the unjust state of 
slavery in which they were kept, and to offer them 
freedom and protection if they would seek it 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 189 

through his means. He said he had received 
many applications from different bodies of them ; 
and had he been able to have maintained himself 
in the country, he was quite certain he should 
have had the mass of the population in his 
favour. 1 He walked a considerable time this 
evening, and then adjourned to the after cabin, 
where he amused himself by playing at cards 
until near ten o'clock, when he retired. Latitude 
and longitude this day at noon were 7 33' N. 
and 1 7 15' W. 

September 14. — We had moderate, pleasant 
weather. Bonaparte passed this forenoon as 
usual. In the evening, talking with the admiral 
relative to Russia, he said that prior to the death 
of the Emperor Paul he (Bonaparte), while he 
was first consul, had received seven or eight 
letters written in his Imperial Majesty's own 
hand, pressing him to enter into close and inti- 
mate alliance for the express purpose of exerting 
the united efforts of the two countries to humble 
Great Britain ; and the emperor proposed, if 
Bonaparte approved of it, to send off at once a 
large Russian army to act against the English 

1 This is misleading. His proposals had scarcely any 
influence on the Russians, though the Poles and Lithuanians 
supported him. — J. H. R. 



i go NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

interest in India. 1 Bonaparte said he was about 
to despatch a confidential ambassador with full 
powers to make the necessary arrangements, and 
to communicate to the emperor his sentiments on 
these points, when he received the unwelcome 
intelligence of the emperor's assassination. He 
added that from the opinion the Emperor Paul 
seemed by his letters to entertain of him (Bona- 
parte), and from the great confidence he appeared 
to place in him, he had no doubt, if their negotia- 
tion had gone on, he would shortly have attained 
sufficient ascendancy with the emperor to have 
induced him to change the foolish and impolitic 
course he was then pursuing in his own country, 
in which case his life would probably have been 
saved, and he might have become an ally of great 
importance to the French ; and therefore Bona- 
parte said he considered Paul's death at the 
moment it took place as a particularly untoward 
circumstance. This evening we played at whist 
until Bonaparte retired. Our latitude and longi- 
tude to-day at noon were J° 2' N. and 17 ic/ W. 
September 15. — Fine weather, with westerly 
winds. This day was passed as usual, with 

1 A Russian force was about to start for the Persian frontier 
when the assassination of the Czar Paul put an end to the 
plan.— J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 191 

nothing particular worthy of remark. The whole 
of the squadron which left England, viz., North- 
umberland of 74 guns (Captain Ross), Havannah 
of 36 guns (Captain George Hamilton), Redpole 
of 10 guns (Captain Denman), Peruvian of 18 
guns (Captain White), Zenobia of 18 guns (Cap- 
tain Dobree), Zephyr of 14 guns (Captain Rich), 
Icarus of 10 guns (Captain Devon), Ferret of 10 
guns (Captain Stirling), troop-ship Ceylon (Cap- 
tain Hamilton), troop-ship Bucephalus (Captain 
Westropp), were in company, and all perfectly 
healthy. Latitude and longitude at noon, 6° y f N. 
and 1 6° 26' W. 

September 16. — Fine weather. Bonaparte to- 
day asked numerous questions relative to the 
coast of Africa, and our distance from it. He 
amused himself before dinner by playing chess. 
In the evening, when talking with the admiral on 
the propriety of the different capitals of Europe 
being sufficiently fortified to enable them to with- 
stand for a short time a sudden advance and 
attack of an enemy's army, he said he had long 
foreseen the propriety of having works of this 
kind around Paris, but he had been restrained 
from ordering them by his dread of the effect 
it might have on the public opinion ; in concert 
with which he had considered it a requisite policy 



192 NAPOLEOJSTS LAST VOYAGES 

always to act, and which even in the zenith of his 
power he had never felt himself strong enough to 
disregard. He added that he knew full well the 
French character to be such that until the danger 
was at their gates they could not have borne the 
idea of such a precaution being for a moment 
necessary. This evening we changed the game 
of cards from vingt-un to " speculation," which 
became very noisy, and Bonaparte retired earlier 
than usual. Our latitude and longitude this day 
at noon were 5 6' N. and 15 29' W. 

September 17. — Pleasant weather, with south- 
west winds. To-day at dinner Bonaparte was 
extremely chatty, and talked on the subject of his 
meditated invasion of England. The admiral 
asked him if he had procured any plans of our 
fortifications at Chatham, when he replied he had 
not, but that he had a general idea of the lines 
there, and that he had no doubt of procuring in 
time such further information on the subject as 
was necessary for him ; he said he had obtained 
his intelligence very regularly from England by 
means of our smuggling boats, and that amongst 
others Mr. Goldsmith (the editor) had conveyed 
him much useful information. He said he had a 
personal interview with Goldsmith at Boulogne, 
at one of the periods he (Goldsmith) came over 






TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 193 

in one of those smuggling boats. He added that 
considerable sums of money had been paid to 
him by the police at different times, for services 
of this nature. He further observed that he 
believed Goldsmith to possess talent, although a 
most consummate rogue. 1 (This was uttered 
with such an apparent malicious cunning as to 
make those at table particularly notice it.) This 
evening, after his usual walk, he joined the party 
in the after cabin, but instead of playing at cards 
he amused himself at chess until about ten, and 
then retired. Our latitude and longitude this 
day at noon were 4° 32' N. and 14 26' W. 

September 18. — We had light winds. From 
the dulness of the sailing of the troop-ships we 
have daily been compelled to shorten sail, with 
which Bonaparte has invariably found fault, 
showing an apparent desire for the voyage to 
end. His first question on making his appear- 
ance is, " What is the latitude and longitude ? " 
then, "What progress have we made since 
yesterday? What distance are we from the 
coast of Africa ? What port are we nearest to ? 
How far are we from the line ? " and so forth. 

1 L. Goldsmith was the author of the work "Secret History 
of the Cabinet of Bonaparte" (London, 1810), an untrust- 
worthy work. — J. H. R. 

13 



194 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

No particular conversation occurred to-day either 
at dinner or in the evening. Our latitude and 
longitude at noon were 3 55' N. and 12 
56' W. 

September 19. — Moderate weather. Bonaparte 
to-day, in conversing again on his former medi- 
tated invasions, speaking of Ireland, said he had 
arranged everything with that country ; and if he 
could have got safely over to it the force he 
intended sending, the party there was so strong 
in his favour that he had every reason to suppose 
they would have succeeded in possessing them- 
selves of the whole island. He said he had kept 
up constant communication with the disaffected 
party, which he averred was by no means con- 
fined to the Roman Catholics, but had also a 
very large proportion of Protestants. 1 He said 
he invariably acquiesced in everything they 
wished for, leaving all arrangements respecting 
the country, religion, &c, entirely to themselves, 
his grand and only object being to gain the 
advantageous point for him of separating Ireland 
from England. He said those who came to 

1 Napoleon, on September 29, 1804, planned to send 
18,000 troops from Brest to Ireland ; but the scheme came 
to nothing. See " Life of Napoleon," by J. H. Rose, vol. i. 
pp. 491-2, 505-6, 510-12.— J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 195 

him from Ireland generally came and returned 
through London, by which means he obtained 
from them information respecting both countries ; 
and they crossed the Channel backward and 
forward with little risk or difficulty by means of 
his friends the smugglers. But he added that 
notwithstanding the great advantages he thus 
derived from these smugglers, he found out at 
last they played a similar game backward and 
forward, and carried as much intelligence to 
England as they brought to him from it, and 
he was therefore obliged to forbid their being 
any longer admitted at Dunkirk, or indeed any- 
where but at Gravelines, where he established 
particular regulations respecting them, and did 
not allow them to pass a barrier which he caused 
to be fixed for the purpose, and where he placed 
a guard to watch them, and to prevent their 
having unnecessary communication with the 
country. He ordered the goods and other 
articles they wished to have to be brought for 
them to this barrier, for which they paid a small 
additional impost. We played our usual game 
at vingt-un this evening. Latitude and longitude 
at noon were 3 iy f N. and 1 1° 18' W. 

September 20. — We had south-west winds and 
cool weather. Bonaparte made many inquiries 



196 NAPOLEON S LAST VOYAGES 

as to our progress, and our other French pas- 
sengers showed much impatience at the length 
of the voyage. Bonaparte neither walked nor 
talked much to-day, and nothing occurred worthy 
of particular remark. Our latitude and longitude 
this day at noon were 2° 39' N. and 9 29' W. 

September 21. — Cool and pleasant weather. 
To-day we had very little of General Bona- 
parte's company, as he was occupied all the 
forenoon learning English from Count Las 
Cases ; but as yet he has never attempted to 
utter a word of English ; and although he has 
been now six weeks on board, he cannot pro- 
nounce one of our names at all correctly. In 
the evening he played at whist, and retired 
early. Our latitude and longitude to-day at 
noon were i° 55' N. and 7 16' W. 

September 22. — South-west winds and cool 
weather. Bonaparte's conversation to-day was 
confined to the ceremony of crossing the line. 
He inquired of the admiral the nature of the 
ceremony, and how it originated. His health 
appears good, and he certainly looks better 
than when he embarked on board the North- 
umberland ; his spirits are even, and he appears 
perfectly unconcerned about his fate. This 
evening he again played at whist. Our latitude 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 197 

and longitude to-day at noon were o° 54/ N. 
and 5 22' W. 

September 23. — We had a fine steady breeze, 
and crossed the line a little before noon ; and 
it is an occurrence worthy of remark that this 
day we have passed zero of latitude and zero 
of longitude, and the sun the zero of its decli- 
nation. This morning, soon after breakfast, as 
it was known we should cross the equator this 
forenoon, Marechal Bertrand came and asked 
if it was not customary for passengers of note 
to make a handsome present to the sailors ; 
and on my replying it was customary to make 
presents, but not to any amount, he said the 
emperor was no ordinary person, and therefore 
the present ought to be no ordinary one ; and 
he immediately went to the admiral and asked 
if he had any objection to Bonaparte's sending 
one or two hundred napoleons as a present to 
the seamen, to which the admiral without hesi- 
tation refused his consent, and indeed pointedly 
prohibited it, saying it was the custom in a 
manner to give a mere trifle, but if Bonaparte 
was particularly anxious to make a present he 
would allow five napoleons to be given, which 
sum was the utmost he would allow. Marechal 
Bertrand argued for some time, saying one 



198 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

hundred napoleons was the least such a person 
as the emperor could offer on so extraordinary 
an event as his crossing the line. However, his 
rhetoric had no avail in altering the admiral's 
determination, and it ended by nothing being 
given in the name of Bonaparte. His suite all 
made their appearance at Neptune's bar, and 
each made a present of a napoleon. Bonaparte 
did not make his appearance until almost dinner- 
time. During the dinner he was cheerful, talked 
over the ceremony of shaving, and he did not 
by his manner show that he was at all piqued 
by the refusal Marechal Bertrand met with. In 
the evening we played at vingt-un, and the 
general retired at his usual hour. This day at 
noon latitude o° 9/ S., and 3 36' [sic] W. 
longitude. 

September 24 and 25. — We had the wind from 
the south-west, with a steady breeze, and the 
weather remarkably cool. Nothing worthy of 
remark occurred. Our French party show much 
impatience at the confinement on board ship. 
At noon latitude o° 4c/ S., longitude 2 22' W. 

We had a heavy swell from the westward, 
with cloudy, cool weather. To-day, in conver- 
sation with the admiral, Bonaparte mentioned 
that a short time back he caused a survey to 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 199 

be taken of the grown oak throughout France 
fit for ship-building — the report made to him on 
which stated that there was actually sufficient 
for building a thousand sail of the line ; but he 
said France had failed altogether in trees fit for 
masts, and these therefore they were obliged to 
get from the Baltic. He said that understand- 
ing the Corsican firs were strong and tough 
enough to serve for masts during the two years 
immediately after their being cut down (after 
which time they lost their elasticity and became 
brittle), and as plenty of them could be conveyed 
to France at as little expense as from the Baltic, 
he had endeavoured to bring them into use for 
the French navy, authorising their being sawed 
into planks after having served two years as 
topmasts ; but this plan was not approved of 
by the Marine Department, as there existed 
extraordinary prejudice throughout the French 
navy against masts made from any spars except 
those brought from the Baltic. He said there 
was a large quantity of masts belonging to 
the French Government at Copenhagen when 
Lord Nelson made the attack and consequent 
convention there, and that at the time he was 
alarmed for the safety of them ; but the Danes 
kept their faith with him, and he afterward got 



2oo NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

them all safe to France, although he was com- 
pelled to have them brought almost the whole 
of the way by inland navigation, being much in 
want of them, and the coast being too closely 
watched by our cruisers to allow him to trust 
them by sea. At noon this day, latitude i° 20' 
S., and longitude i° 16' W. 

September 26 and 27. — We had south-south- 
west winds and pleasant, cool weather. Nothing 
material occurred ; the troop-ships retard us con- 
siderably, and their so doing is a great subject 
of complaint with our French passengers. At 
noon this day, latitude 2 4/ S., and longitude 
o° 20' W. 

The cool, pleasant weather still continues, and 
the troop-ships drop more and more astern. 
Bonaparte for these last two days has been 
less communicative, and has kept his cabin more 
than usual ; he seems to have entirely given up 
vingt-un of an evening, playing either chess or 
piquet in lieu. His health appears very good, 
and he says much of his time is occupied in 
learning English ; however, it does not appear 
that he makes any very great progress. This day 
at noon we were in latitude 3 12' S., and longi- 
tude o° 57' E. 

September 28. — Our pleasant weather still 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 201 

continues, with the wind from the south-west. 
Bonaparte walked a short time both before and 
after dinner ; nothing in his conversation was 
worthy of any particular remark, as he confined 
it to commonplace questions. In the evening 
we played at vingt-un as usual, while Bonaparte 
played at chess. At noon this day, latitude 
4°68 / [sic], and longitude 2 25' E. 

September 29. — We had moderate and fine 
weather. Bonaparte appeared in very good 
spirits to-day, and asked various questions rela- 
tive to the navy. After dinner he walked a 
length of time with the admiral ; and speaking 
of the navy of France, he said he believed 
some of the superior officers were tolerable 
good seamen, but that none of them were good 
officers ; that the best of them had been taken 
during the Revolution from the India and other 
merchant vessels ; and as the French navy was 
so little employed, the officers were unaccus- 
tomed to command in any difficult or trying 
circumstances, and therefore when they had 
accidentally fallen into such situations they 
always appeared to have lost their heads, be- 
came quite confused, and whatever they did 
was precisely what they ought not. He said 
Admiral Gantheaume did very well whilst with 



202 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

him (Bonaparte) at his elbow when coming 
from Egypt ; but he added, if Admiral Gan- 
theaume had been left to himself, he would have 
been taken twenty times over, for he constantly 
wanted to change the ship's course to avoid 
one enemy or other, and by such over-pre- 
cautions he would have lost as much by night 
as he gained by day. Bonaparte said he there- 
fore obliged the admiral always to explain to 
him upon paper the exact situation of the ship, 
and the apprehended danger, after which it 
almost always occurred that he took upon him- 
self to desire the admiral to continue in a straight 
course for Frejus, and to this alone he attributed 
their having got safe. Bonaparte also said it 
was a curious fact that Admiral Bruix, 1 on their 
way up to Alexandria, had actually explained 
to him very minutely the decided disadvantage 
a fleet must labour under by receiving at anchor 
an attack from an hostile fleet under sail ; and 
yet from the want of recollection and presence 
of mind upon emergencies which the general 
had alluded to, their admiral a few weeks after 

1 This should be "Brueys." Admiral Bruix remained in 
French waters in 1798-9, and failed to carry out the instruc- 
tions which might have led to the relief of Bonaparte in Egypt. 
Brueys perished on the flagship L 'Orient at the Battle of the 
Nile.— J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 203 

received at anchor Lord Nelson's attacks, losing 
his own life, and nearly his whole fleet, to exem- 
plify the correctness of his ideas and the impro- 
priety of his conduct, but which Bonaparte said 
he was positive would not have been the case 
(inasmuch as relates to the fighting at anchor) 
had he himself been on the spot. Bonaparte 
added, on the same subject, that it struck him 
the French admirals had generally on coming 
to action lost too much time in making ma- 
noeuvres about forming the line, which had ulti- 
mately proved of no adequate advantage. He 
had therefore desired they might be instructed 
for the future, on approaching an enemy, that 
a signal to form the line as convenient for 
mutual support, and afterward a signal to engage 
would be always deemed fully sufficient to make 
to those under their orders ; and after this the 
captain of every ship in the fleet was to be held 
individually responsible to the Government for 
getting the ship he commanded quickly into close 
battle, and doing his best toward the destroying 
of some one of the enemy, which would at all 
events prevent the captains from covering their 
own neglect, as Dumanoir had done, by at- 
tributing "errors to their chief." 1 Bonaparte 
1 See note, p. 144. 



2o 4 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

said he had, however, latterly resolved (unless 
some extraordinary emergency made it neces- 
sary) not to venture any more line-of-battle ships 
to sea until he should have had it in his power 
to have sent from the different ports 150 sail 
of the line at once, for the making up of which 
number he had laid all his plans. He affirmed 
that, from the efforts he intended to have made 
for this object, he believed very much time would 
not have elapsed before he would have completed 
them ; in the meantime, he said, whatever it 
might have cost him, he had determined on 
always keeping ten sail of frigates at sea, for 
the purpose of making and improving his officers. 
He added that when his frigates had been sent 
on distant voyages or cruises, they were apt to 
consider their danger pretty well over when 
once safely through our line of cruisers on the 
French coast, after which they generally relaxed 
in their vigilance and precautions. He had 
therefore decided to order these ten frigates in 
future to cruise only in the neighbourhood of 
England or Ireland, where they would be certain 
to have enemies, bad weather, and dangerous 
coasts to keep them always on the alert ; and 
those which managed to escape being wrecked 
or captured, must of course in such situations 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 205 

do much more mischief to our commerce than 
had ever been done by the French frigates 
before in the open seas and southern latitudes. 
To the commanders of those who returned safe 
from such service, he said he would have given 
great promotion and rewards, and as fast as 
he heard of any being taken or lost, he should 
supply their place by fresh ones. 1 On the 
admiral's remarking to him the difficulty he 
conceived he would have found in obtaining 
seamen to have followed up this plan, he replied 
that by the conscription for the marines, which 
he had lately established in all the maritime 
departments of France, he would have had as 
many seamen as he pleased ; its customary pro- 
duction without vexation would have given him 
20,000 men a year, and already, for want of 
ships to put these seamen in, he had been 
obliged to form them into regiments for the 
protection of the coast. Admitting this, these 
men would only have been seamen because he 
chose to call them such. Bonaparte having 
walked this evening longer than usual, he did 
not join the vingt-un party, but retired early. 

1 This proof of Napoleon's belief in the survival of the 
fittest is interesting. For his guerre de course^ adopted after 
Trafalgar, see note, p. 63. See, too, pp. 124, 125. — J. H. R. 



206 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

Latitude 4° 52' S., longitude 3 50' E., this day 
at noon. 

September 30. — We had light airs and fine 
weather, with the wind to south-west. Bona- 
parte amused himself this morning by having 
the life of Lord Nelson read to him, and he 
seemed to take particular interest in that part 
relating to his trip to Egypt, and subsequent 
battle of Aboukir Bay, the account of which he 
has requested to have translated. This day at 
noon we were in latitude 5 7' S., and longitude 
5 6' E. 

October 1. — Our fine weather continued, with 
south-west winds. Bonaparte was again occupied 
the whole of the forenoon in listening to Bertrand 
reading the life of Lord Nelson. At the table he 
was cheerful, but confined his conversation to 
merely asking questions. At noon, latitude 
5° 39' S., and 6° 26' E. longitude. 

October 2. — The south-west winds still con- 
tinued, and the troop-ships dropped further and 
further astern ; nothing worthy of remark 
occurred. Bonaparte seemed to have quite given 
up the vingt-un party for chess, at which game 
he does not appear to make much progress. 
At noon this day our latitude 6° o' S., longitude 
5° 5o' E. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 207 

October 3. — Fine weather. Bonaparte walked 
for a short time before dinner, asking the distance 
now remaining to St. Helena, and the probable 
time of reaching it. At dinner he conversed 
freely ; and speaking of his campaigns, he told the 
admiral that at the battle of Wagram he had 
under his command in the field, actually engaged, 
a greater number of men than in any of his other 
battles ; they amounted, he said, to about 180,000 
bayonets, and at the same time he had in the 
field 1,000 pieces of cannon. 1 At Moscow, he 
said, though not much short of that number, he 
certainly had not so many ; and at the battle of 
Leipsic he did not think he had more than 
140,000.2 In answer to a question put to him 
by the admiral, he said he considered General 
Clausel to be decidedly the most able military 
officer now in France. Marshal Soult and other 
of the marechals were, he said, brave and able 
men for carrying into execution operations 
previously planned ; but to plan and execute 

1 These numbers are slightly in excess of those actually 
engaged. Marshal Marmont states in his Memoirs that he 
saw the returns of the French army at Wagram as 167,000 
in all, that is including the cavalry and artillery. — J. H. R. 

2 At Leipzig, Napoleon had about 190,000 men and 734 
guns ; but the allies had, in all, more than 300,000 men. — 
J. H. R. 



208 NAPOLEONS LAST VOYAGES 

with large armies, in his opinion none of them 
were by any means equal to General Clausel. 
Bonaparte asked who were considered our best 
generals, when Sir George Bingham having 
mentioned Lord Lynedoch, Lord Niddry, Lord 
Combermere, Lord Uxbridge, and others, Bona- 
parte replied, " But I believe you think Lord 
Wellington the best." Our evening was spent 
similarly to the former ones. At noon this 
day we were in latitude 6° 53' S., longitude 
6° 40' E. 

October 4. — Fine weather, with south-south- 
west winds. The conversation of our passengers 
was confined to the fine weather we have had, 
and the probable speedy termination of the 
voyage. Every one has hitherto enjoyed good 
health except Madame Bertrand, whose com- 
plaints have been more mental than bodily ; she 
has, however, suffered of late so much as not 
to be able to quit her cabin. The children 
are remarkably healthy, and certainly much 
improved by the voyage. Our latitude and 
longitude to-day at noon were 7 50' S. and 
70 8' E. 

October 5. — Our fine weather still continues, 
and as our voyage shortens our squadron 
diminishes, having now only the Peruvian, 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 209 

Zenobia, and Bucephalus in company, the latter 
scarcely in sight. Nothing particular occurred 
to-day. Bonaparte played at piquet before 
dinner, and chess after. This day at noon our 
latitude 8° 50' S., longitude 8° 52' E. 

October 6 and 7. — This day passed in the same 
unvaried routine, as to wind, weather, conversa- 
tion, and passing our time, as many other 
previous days. Our latitude and longitude this 
day were 9 35' S. and 9 32' E. 

The wind still continues to the south-south- 
west. The Bucephalus is no longer in sight, and 
the admiral seems determined not to be further 
delayed, therefore we may expect to reach St. 
Helena in another week, which I hope may be 
the case, as our passengers are becoming daily 
more and more impatient. Our latitude and 
longitude this day at noon were g° 30' S. and 
9 50' E. 

October 8. — We have been anxiously expecting 
the south-east trade-wind, but hitherto without 
avail. Bonaparte to-day walked and talked a 
very considerable time with the admiral, giving 
him a succinct account of his rise to the eminence 
from which he is now fallen. Bonaparte said it 
was owing to the want of officers at the beginning 
of the revolutionary war that he was sent for 

14 



210 NAPOLEONS LAST VOYAGES 

(although then but a young captain of artillery) 
from the northern frontier, where he was serving, 
to take the command of the artillery before 
Toulon x ; that almost immediately after his arrival 
at this station he had pointed out to General 
Carteaux the necessity of making a great effort 
to get possession of the place, which was called 
Fort Mulgrave by us, which he (Bonaparte) 
engaged to do if General Carteaux would allow 
him, and foretold that that place once taken 
would oblige the English immediately to entirely 
evacuate Toulon. This proposal, however, 
General Carteaux would not listen to, and they 
therefore went on some time longer according to 
their former plan of attack, without materially 
advancing in the siege or doing any real good, 
until one of the representatives of the people 
coming to the army to overlook what they were 
about (as was customary at that time), Bonaparte 
directly laid before him his plans, and obtaining 
his approval, Carteaux was overruled and obliged 
to adopt the measures which Bonaparte had 

1 A curious misstatement. Bonaparte, in August, 1793, 
arrived with his family from Corsica; he was soon told off 
to serve in the " Army of Nice " ; but, owing to the lack 
of officers and the Jacobin forces before Toulon, was detained 
by the Commissioners Saliceti and Gasparin, and sent to take 
part in that siege. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 211 

before proposed to him, which succeeding pre- 
cisely according to his predictions, he was in 
reward promoted to the rank of general of 
brigade. 1 He said he afterward went with a 
part of the same army into Savoy, where he 
rendered some further services ; but it having 
been just then determined, in consequence of the 
scarcity of officers for the infantry, to draft into it 
some of the officers of artillery, and it falling to 
his (General Bonaparte's) lot to be one of these, 
he quitted the army and went to Paris to remon- 
strate, and to endeavour to avoid being so 
exchanged, but meeting with an unfavourable 
reception from a general of artillery, who was a 
representative of the people, and who had the 
chief management of these arrangements. After 
some high words passing between them, he 
(Bonaparte) retired in disgust, and putting on 
the dress of the Institute of Paris, to which he 
then belonged (having been elected to it in 
consequence of his proficiency in mathematics), 
he continued in Paris, endeavouring to keep 
quiet and from the armies, which he said, how- 
ever, he should at last have been obliged to have 
joined, perhaps in a subordinate capacity, had 
not the advance of the Austrian general De Vins 
1 See note, p. 56. 



2i2 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

into Italy, and the retreat and alarm of the 
French army opposed to him, spread considerable 
consternation at Paris, which induced the Com- 
mittee of Public Safety (who knew General 
Bonaparte was well acquainted with the locality 
of that country) to send for him to consult with 
him on the best measures to be adopted ; l and 
they were so satisfied with what he laid before 
them on the subject, that they immediately 
caused him to draw instructions for their general 
in Italy, upon his (Bonaparte's) advice, and the 
committee then directed that General Bonaparte 
might remain near them in Paris to assist them 
on such military points as they might wish to 
consult him upon. The advice he gave, as before 
mentioned, Bonaparte said proved efficacious ; 
their Italian army took up the position he had 
pointed out, and thereby was enabled to stand its 
ground, without falling any farther back, in spite 

1 De Vins occupied Savona in June, 1795, and the French 
retreated to Loano. Bonaparte had drafted his first plan of 
campaign for Italy at Colmars on May 21, 1794. The second 
plan, or plans, belong to July, 1795. In August, Bonaparte 
was appointed to a post in the Typographical Bureau of the 
Committee of Public Safety. He did not, as here stated, hold 
this post continuously up to 13 Vendemiare (1795); f° r he 
was dismissed from the army and the public service on 
September 15, 1795, owing to his having refused to go to 
La Vendee as an infantry officer. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 213 

of every effort of the Austrian general to force it, 
until it became strong enough to attack in its turn, 
which it ultimately did, and then defeated General 
De Vins, and was most completely successful. 
Bonaparte said he gained considerable credit on 
this account, and he remained at Paris attached 
to the Committee of Public Safety until the 13 
Vendemiare, the day on which the Convention 
was attacked by the revolted sections of Paris, 
which last having gained considerable advantage 
over the troops of the Convention, then under 
the command of General Menou, Bonaparte was 
sent for by the Convention, and placed in the 
command of the troops in lieu of Menou ; r and 
succeeding in defeating the revolted sections, and 
in restoring order, he was immediately made 
commandant of Paris, which situation, he said, 
gave him considerable consequence, and in which 
he remained until he was made commander-in- 
chief of the army of Italy. He said it was not 
until after the battle of Lodi that he entertained 
an idea of ever being sufficiently in consequence 
to authorise his some day or other interfering 
with the government of France ; but then, find- 
ing all his plans to succeed so very far beyond 

1 Bonaparte was merely included among the generals placed 
under the command of Barras. — J. H. R. 



2i 4 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

his own expectations, he began to look forward 
(though without any decided plan) to such events 
as afterward took place, and he said the quantity 
of money which he sent from Italy to France 
with these views very considerably increased his 
popularity. After his campaign of Italy, and the 
consequent suspension of hostilities with Austria, 
he said the Directory became very jealous of his 
popularity, and were therefore anxious to get him 
into some scrape, to avoid which it required his 
utmost caution vxA finesse ; and this induced him 
not only to refuse an appointment offered him to 
conduct the diplomatic discussions then going on 
with Austria, but also the appointment (which 
was soon afterward offered him) to command the 
army for the invasion of England. 1 But when 
the command of the Egyptian expedition was 
proposed to him he immediately saw the advan- 
tages it offered him for getting out of the way of 
a jealous, arbitrary Government (by its measures 

1 Incorrect. Bonaparte took diplomatic matters into his 
own hands at the time of the signature of the Preliminaries 
of Peace with Austria at Leoben (April 18, 1797), and kept 
them in his hands until the conclusion of the treaty at Campo 
Formio (October 17, 1797). He was appointed to command 
the "Army of England," but reported in February, 1798, that 
that expedition was impracticable. The Egyptian enterprise 
at that time was his dearest wish. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 215 

running itself to ruin), and by placing himself at 
the head of an army for an expedition almost 
certain of success, leaving it open to him to 
return with increased popularity whenever he 
might judge the crisis favourable. Therefore, he 
said, the Directory being anxious to get him out 
of France, and he being equally anxious to get 
away from them, this Egyptian expedition did 
not fail to please both parties, and he warmly 
entered into it the moment it was proposed ; but 
he declared the proposition of this expedition did 
not originate with himself. 1 Having thus left 
France, Bonaparte said he anxiously looked for 
the events which brought him back to France ; 
and on his return there, he was soon well assured 
that there no longer existed in it a party strong 
enough to oppose him, and he immediately 
planned the revolution of the 18th Brumaire. 

He said that although he might on that day 
have run some personal risk, owing to the con- 
fusion which was general, yet everything was 
so arranged that it could not possibly have 
failed, and that the government of France from 
that day became inevitably and irretrievably 

1 Magallon, Consul of France in Egypt, advocated the 
expedition in a report received in February, 1798. Bonaparte 
also pressed strongly for it. — J. H. R. 



216 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

in his hands and of those of his adherents. 1 He 
said, therefore, that all the stories and reports 
which might have been circulated of any in- 
tentions of arresting him, and of opposing his 
intentions, were all nonsense, and without any 
foundation in truth; for his plans had been too 
long and too well laid to admit of being so 
counteracted. He said that after he became first 
consul, plots and conspiracies against his life 
were very frequent, but by vigilance and good 
fortune they had all been discovered and frus- 
trated. He said that one which was the nearest 
proving fatal to him was that in which Pichegru, 
Georges, and Moreau were concerned — thirty-six 
of this party had been actually in Paris six weeks 
without the police knowing anything of it — and 
which was at last discovered by an emigrant 
apothecary, 2 who, being informed against, and 

1 The coup oVitat of 19 Brumaire (November 10), 1799, 
would have failed but for the skill of Lucien Bonaparte, 
who refused to put to the Council the motion of outlawry 
against his brother. — J. H. R. 

2 This apothecary was Querel, or Querelle, who was quite 
possibly an agent of the police. He disclosed (we should now 
say "disclosed" rather than "discovered") the news on February 
14, 1804. It is certain that Napoleon, through his unofficial 
police, that of Fouche, knew of the plot ; for he wrote on 
November 1, 1803, to his chief controller of police, that he 
must not be in a hurry about making the arrests. — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 217 

secured after landing from an English man-of- 
war, and the police having entertained some 
suspicions in consequence of the numbers which 
had been reported to have landed clandestinely 
about this time, it was judged this apothecary 
would be a likely person to bring to confession, if 
properly managed. Therefore, being condemned 
to death, and every preparation made for his 
execution, his life was offered him if he would 
give any intelligence sufficiently important to 
merit such indulgence, when the apothecary im- 
mediately caught at the offer, and gave the names 
of the thirty-six persons before alluded to, every 
one of whom, with Pichegru and Georges, were, 
by the vigorous measures adopted, found and 
secured in Paris within a fortnight. Bonaparte 
said (from what he afterward learnt) that previous 
to this plot being discovered it would probably 
have proved fatal to him, had not Georges insisted 
upon being appointed a consul, which Moreau 
and Pichegru would not hear of, and therefore 
Georges and his party could not be brought to 
act. 1 He said also that it was to be at hand for 
the purpose of aiding in this conspiracy, and to 

1 This is incorrect. Moreau withdrew from all connection 
with Pichegru as soon as he knew that he was bound up 
with Cadoudal. — J. H. R. 



218 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

take advantage of any confusion that might arise, 
that the Duke D'Enghien took up his residence 
in the neighbourhood of Strasburg, in which city 
Bonaparte said he had certain information of the 
duke's having been in disguise several times. 
On the admiral asking Bonaparte if the report of 
his having sent an order for the duke's reprieve, 
which unfortunately arrived too late, was true, he 
replied it certainly was not true ; that the duke 
was condemned for having conspired against 
France, and he (Bonaparte) was determined from 
the first moment to let the law take its course 
respecting him, to endeavour if possible to check 
the frequent conspiracies. 1 On the admiral's 
mentioning that the Duke D'Enghien was taken 
from the territory of the Duke of Baden, Bona- 
parte replied that did not in his opinion alter the 
case of the Duke D'Enghien. He said the 
Duke of Baden might have reason to complain of 
the violation of his territory, but that was an 
affair to be settled between him and the Duke of 

1 This admission, and Napoleon's insertion of a similar 
statement in his will, do away with all the efforts made by 
his apologists to throw the blame on Talleyrand, &c. Napoleon, 
before he gave the final instructions which led to the death of 
the Duke, knew quite well that he had had no connection with 
the Cadoudal plot. See "Camb. Modern History," vol. ix. 
(Napoleon), pp. 30-31 — J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 219 

Baden, and not with the Duke D'Enghien, whom, 
when he had got him within the territory of 
France (no matter how), they had full right to 
try and punish for any act committed by him 
in France against the existing Government. 
Having walked very late this evening, we played 
a game of chess and retired. At noon our 
latitude was 9 55' S., longitude 8° 56' E. 

October 9-14. — Moderate weather, with a con- 
tinuation of south-west winds ; nothing worth 
mentioning occurred to-day. Our latitude and 
longitude at noon were io° 23' S. and 7 2i r E. 

Weather the same as heretofore ; the Redpole 
in sight at a great distance. Our latitude and 
longitude this day at noon were io° 59' S. and 

5° 4i' E. 

The wind southerly. Our conversation was 
confined to the approaching termination of our 
voyage. Our latitude and longitude at noon 
were 12 2' S. and 4 n' E. 

We have at length got the south-east trade- 
wind, and are making rapid strides toward St. 
Helena. Our latitude and longitude to-day at 
noon were 14 8' S. and 4 29' E. 

We had a steady south-east trade, and cool, 
pleasant weather. Bonaparte for some days past 
has been less communicative than usual, and our 



220 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

days have passed in one continued sameness. 
Our latitude and longitude to-day at noon were 
1 5° 23' S. and 4 54' E. 

Pleasant weather. Numerous were the con- 
jectures whether or not we should see the land. 
The admiral decided we should see it at six 
o'clock, and so correct was he in his calculations 
that the time we saw it did not differ a minute, 
at which Bonaparte and all the French party 
seemed much astonished. The Zenobia was 
despatched to apprise the governor of our 
approach, and we lay to for the night. Our 
latitude and longitude at noon were 16 8' S. 
and 5 57' E. 

October 15. — We anchored about half- past ten, 
and found here the Havannak, Icarus, and 
Ferret, which had got the start of us. The 
governor came on board, and the admiral 
returned with him to determine on the spot for 
Bonaparte's future abode. We amused ourselves 
in surveying the stupendous barren cliffs of 
St. Helena, whose terrific appearance seemed to 
but ill accord with the feelings of our guests. In 
the evening the admiral returned, having taken a 
house in the town as a temporary residence for 
Bonaparte and his followers. 

October 16. — The admiral went on shore early 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 221 

for the purpose of visiting Longwood House, to 
see how far it would be able to accommodate our 
guests. He returned early to dinner, and made 
a favourable report of the situation of Longwood. 
Marechal Bertrand went on shore in the after- 
noon to arrange the lodging, but Bonaparte, at 
his own particular request, delayed disembarking 
until it was dark, to avoid the gaze of the inhabi- 
tants, who were crowded on the wharf to see a 
person who had heretofore kept nations in a 
state of warfare and dread for nearly twenty 
years. We landed about seven o'clock, and all 
the French party were lodged at the boarding- 
house taken for them at the lower end of the town. 1 
The next morning 2 at six o'clock Bonaparte 
mounted on horseback, and, in company with the 
admiral, visited Longwood House (the residence 
of the lieutenant-governor, and belonging to the 
Company), which had been previously fixed on 
by the admiral and governor as the future resi- 
dence of Bonaparte and his suite. Bonaparte 
seemed very well satisfied with the situation, 

1 We are informed that in the original manuscript the next 
entry is not dated, but was evidently written in by the same 
hand some months later, from notes taken at various times. 

Napoleon landed at Jamestown, St. Helena, on October 
17, 1815.— J. H. R. 

2 That is, on October iS. — J. H. R. 



222 NAPOLEON* S LAST VOYAGES 

and expressed a desire to occupy it as soon as 
possible. This house, however, requiring not 
only repairing but considerable enlarging, which 
would occupy much time, and the general men- 
tioning his dislike to return to the town, the 
admiral proposed his visiting the " Briars," a 
small cottage (the residence of Mr. Balcombe), 
which was near the Longwood Road, and about 
a mile and a quarter from the town. 

This proposition was immediately acquiesced 
in by Bonaparte, and on reaching this cottage 
he instantly expressed a wish to be allowed to 
occupy a small detached building on an eminence 
close to the cottage (built by Mr. Balcombe as 
a dining-room), of about twenty-two feet by 
sixteen, with a very small ante-room, and two 
garrets overhead, until Longwood House might 
be ready, stating there was quite room enough 
for him. This request was immediately complied 
with, and the admiral returned to the town by 
himself, leaving Bonaparte in charge of Mr. 
Balcombe's family. Bonaparte's camp-bed was 
put up in this room without delay ; Count Las 
Cases and his son occupied the two garrets over 
it. After a few days a marquee was attached to 
the front of this building and fitted up as a 
dining-room ; and here Bonaparte passed the 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 223 

first two months of his detention, without going 
out of the grounds, except in one or two 
instances. He seldom came out of his room 
until the afternoon, when he amused himself by 
walking in the garden (a very productive and 
perfectly secluded spot, abounding with various 
fruits, such as mangoes, apples, guavas, pome- 
granates, oranges, lemons, grapes, figs, peaches, 
&c), or reading in a small bower of vines, which 
was lined for him with canvas to keep out the 
rain, of which there was daily more or less. In 
the evening he generally invited himself into the 
cottage, and played cards with the family for two 
or three hours. Mr. Balcombe's family consists 
of himself (a truly good-natured and most hos- 
pitable, liberal man of plain manners), Mrs. 
Balcombe, two Miss Balcombes (women grown, 
although the one is but fifteen and the other 
between thirteen and fourteen), and two boys, 
the one about seven and the other five years old. 
Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Balcombe understands 
French, but both the Miss Balcombes speak it 
tolerably well, and Bonaparte appeared much 
delighted in their society. 1 These young ladies 

1 For the Balcombes and their house, see Mrs. Abell 
(Betsy Balcombe), " Recollections of the Emperor Napoleon 
at St. Helena" (London, 1844); also Las Cases, "Memorial 
de Ste. Helene," under date October 17 et. seq., 1815. — J. H. R. 



224 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

in a few days became perfectly familiar, and the 
general seemed highly pleased with their naivete", 
particularly that of the younger (a pretty girl, 
and a most complete romp when out of sight of 
her father). He occasionally so completely laid 
aside his imperial dignity as to romp with these 
young ladies, who during such diversions as 
" Blindman's Bluff," &c, called him by the 
familiar appellation of " Boney " ; indeed, the 
younger, who appeared his favourite, said any- 
thing and everything to him her lively imagina- 
tion dictated, asking every possible question, and 
he answering without the slightest apparent 
reserve. About the middle of December, after 
very great exertions of the admiral, with the aid 
of the crew of the Northumberland, Longwood 
House was sufficiently repaired, augmented, and 
furnished for Bonaparte and all his followers, 
with the exception of Marechal Bertrand, for 
whom a small cottage near Longwood has been 
hired, until some detached apartments are 
erected within the grounds of Longwood as a 
residence for him and Madame Bertrand. 
Longwood House, of which a plan is annexed, 
is nearly five miles from James Town. The 
first three miles of the road are up-hill and 
zigzag ; the other part is level, round a very 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 225 

deep and dreary looking ravine, which, con- 
trasted with the entrance of the grounds, adds 
much to their appearance, which is really that of 
an English gentleman's country-seat. It is built 
on the most level spot on the island, in a park of 
about four miles in circumference. The house is 
now made commodious and comfortable ; the 
rooms are not large, but, including the servants' 
rooms, there are more than forty in number, 
as described in the accompanying plan, and 
tolerably well furnished. The air at Longwood 
is cooler than any other part of the island, the 
thermometer seldom rising above 65° It is 
about 1,750 feet above the level of the sea, and 
is surrounded by a very extensive plain, on 
which the 53rd Regiment are encamped. The 
grounds of Longwood are thickly planted with 
an indigenous tree called gum-wood, which at a 
distance has a pleasing appearance, but when in 
the park the one continued sameness of a stunted 
tree with dark green foliage is tiresome to the 
eye. 1 From the house you have a commanding 
view to the eastward of the sea and the shipping, 
and to the northward the camp of the 53rd forms 

1 Surgeon Henry, " Events of a Military Life " (chap, xxviii.), 
gives a glowing account of the climate and shrubs, &c, of the 
upper part of St. Helena. — J. H. R. 

15 



226 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

a pleasing object in the foreground to any one 
except Bonaparte, who seems to loathe the sight 
of a British soldier, and at whose particular 
request great pains were taken to place the camp 
out of his sight. But this could not be done 
without giving up the very best situation for a 
camp. Part of the park is cultivated as a farm 
by the Company, and forms an agreeable varia- 
tion. The grounds of Longwood are entirely 
private to Bonaparte (with the exception of the 
farmer and his labourers, who are confined to the 
cultivated part). 

Sentries are placed around the park to prevent 
all intruders, and no one can enter without a pass 
from the governor, the admiral, or the com- 
mandant of the forces. Some distance without 
the park there is a second cordon of pickets and 
sentinels forming an enceinte of about twelve 
miles, within any part of which Bonaparte or any 
of his followers can amuse themselves by either 
walking or riding, unaccompanied by any one, 
but they cannot extend their excursions beyond 
this boundary without being accompanied by an 
English officer — if Bonaparte himself, by a 
captain, for which purpose, and to superintend 
the guard at Longwood Gate, and the sentries 
placed around the house after dark, a captain of 




< * < 3 






-=*? 



°, M & t" 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 227 

the 53rd has constantly lived in a room attached 
to the house. A carriage, a phaeton, and twelve 
horses have been furnished for Bonaparte's use, 
and he frequently amuses himself both on horse- 
back and in his carriage, but he has declared he 
will not go without the boundary, so long as he 
is restricted to be accompanied by an English 
officer, to do away which he has used every 
possible argument and endeavour with the 
admiral, but to no avail. Bonaparte, on first 
taking up his abode at Longwood, expressed a 
great dislike to see soldiers near him, and carried 
his weakness so far as to request that if it was 
necessary to keep constant watch over him, the 
sentries might not wear their uniforms ; but in 
this request he, of course, did not succeed. 
However, to humour him, the admiral allowed 
the officer of the guard, who lived in the house, 
to wear plain clothes. 

Bonaparte leads a secluded life, few or none 
ever going near him, although no person of re- 
spectability has been refused a pass when asked 
for, but so little is he now thought of, that his 
name is seldom or never mentioned except on 
the arrival of a ship ; indeed, the inhabitants 
express so little curiosity that two-thirds of them 
have not yet seen him (although he has been at 



228 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

St. Helena eight months), nor do they ever 
seem inclined to go a hundred yards out of their 
way for that purpose. Even Mrs. Wilkes, the 
wife of the late governor, although she was six 
months in the island after he arrived, went 
away without seeing him, whereas the curiosity 
of the passengers going home from India has 
almost exceeded credibility. 

He spends most of the forenoon in the house, 
and gives out that he is occupied in writing his 
life ; he breakfasts at eleven, and dines at seven. 
At first he seemed determined to lead the life 
of a gentleman and encourage society, for which 
purpose he invited different people to dinner, 
and attempted to imitate English manners, but 
after the first fortnight he suddenly relinquished 
this system, and ever since he has confined 
himself to his abject followers, whom I may say 
he tyrannises over, and whose servility is more 
abject than an Englishman who has not witnessed 
it can possibly conceive. 

The rough sketch here placed of his person l 
will give an idea of it. He is portrayed leaning 
against one of the guns on the quarter-deck of 
the Northumberland speaking earnestly to Mare- 
chal Bertrand. His countenance has something 
1 This sketch does not accompany the manuscript. 



/. r :.--; •_ . 



s^;:" 










■ 
- 




ml 






B0N£Y"5 meditations ontive IjUn<trftf Helena - 
\l\L. addrtss in^ the jSUM - 



THE FINEST OF GEORGE CRUICKSHANK S ST. HELENA CARICATURES. 



To '.•. e page --<'. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 229 

in it very remarkable, but nothing peculiarly 
commanding, and this sketch flatters him both 
as to age and appearance. He is 5 feet 7 \ inches 
high, stout made, and rather corpulent ; he has 
a full, round, fattish face ; darkish-brown cropped 
hair, thin on the forepart of the head, and always 
dishevelled ; small eyebrows, very light gray 
round eyes, rather large than otherwise ; a nose 
moderately long, inclined to aquiline ; mouth 
small, with good small teeth ; chin rather fat, 
turning upward, which gives a peculiar cast 
of countenance ; sallow complexion, without 
whiskers ; very short neck ; stout shoulders in- 
clined to be round ; corpulent body, large hips 
and thighs, with a well-formed leq; and foot. His 
age was forty- seven on the fifteenth of August 
last. His health is perfectly good, although 
he takes but very moderate exercise ; indeed, 
it was a subject of surprise during the passage 
out, as it is now, that from the life of inactivity 
he led, and the quantity and description of food 
he ate (and does eat), that his health should 
continue so good as never to appear to suffer 
the least inconvenience, or his vigour to be the 
least impaired. 

During the passage he constantly wore a low 
cocked hat, with a small tricoloured cockade, a 



230 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

green uniform coat trimmed with red, a pair of 
large gold epaulets, the facing of the coat cut 
away from the breast, and tapering to a point 
behind ; * the collar buttoned close round the 
throat, so as not to allow even the neck handker- 
chief to be seen. On the left breast he wore a 
large silver star of the order of the Legion of 
Honour, and from the button-hole the order of 
the Iron Crown, and a Dutch order ; under the 
coat a broad red ribbon similar to the order of 
the Bath ; white kerseymere breeches, silk stock- 
ings, shoes and buckles. 

He generally walks with one hand in his 
breeches-pocket and the other in his coat-pocket. 
He occasionally takes snuff in moderation from 
an oblong box of dark green stone, lined with 
gold, and set with four antique silver medals on 
the top, and a small gold one in front. These 
medals, Madame Bertrand told me, Bonaparte 
himself found at Rome ; 2 the silver ones bear 
the heads of Agrippa, Sylla, Pompey the Great, 
and Julius Caesar, the gold that of Timoleon. 
Since he has been on shore he has substituted 

1 This was his favourite uniform, that of a colonel of the 
Chasseurs of the Guard. — J. H. R. 

2 This is more than doubtful. Napoleon never was at 
Rome. See Madelin, "La Rome de Napoleon," p. 161. — 
J. H. R. 






TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST HELENA 231 

a plain coat, with the star, for the uniform 
one, and he wears military boots of a morn- 
ing ; in other respects his dress continues the 
same. 

His character is difficult to be denned, but 
from what I have seen, learned, and heard, I 
think Miot, in his " Memoires de l'Expedition en 
Egypte," gives a very accurate description of him 
when he says : * 

"He understands enough of mankind to dazzle 
the weak, to dupe the vain, overawe the timid, 
and to make the wicked his instruments, but of 
all beyond this Bonaparte is grossly and totally 
ignorant." 

Greatness of mind or character, in my opinion, 
he possesses not, very frequently acting the part 
of a spoilt child. Feeling I consider him devoid 
of. Every religion is alike to him, and did I 
believe there existed such a being as an atheist, 
I should say Bonaparte is that being. Of those 
about him he seems neither to care nor feel for 
the privations they undergo from their blind and 
infatuated attachment to him, which many of his 
actions prove, and which the following circum- 
stance, which occurred during the passage out, 

1 It should be remembered that Miot was very hostile to 
Napoleon. — J. H. R. 



232 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

will show. * Madame Bertrand had been confined 
to her cabin by serious illness for ten days or a 
fortnight. On her appearing in the cabin, we all 
congratulated her on her recovery. This was in 
the forenoon, and about two o'clock Bonaparte 
came into the cabin, and sat down to play at 
chess with General Montholon. At this time 
Madame Bertrand was below, but soon after 
made her appearance, seemingly to pay her 
devoirs to this once great man. Putting on one 
of her best smiles, she approached the table 
where he was playing, and where she stood by 
his side silent for some time, no doubt in anxious 
expectation of receiving the Emperor's congratu- 
lations, which would have amply repaid all 
sufferings she had undergone. But in this, dis- 
appointment alone was her portion, for he merely 
stared her steadfastly in the face, and then con- 
tinued his game of chess without taking the 
slightest further notice. She, evidently piqued, 
quitted the table and came over to the other side 
of the cabin, where she sat by me on the sofa 
until dinner was announced, when the admiral, 

1 This estimate of Napoleon is not unlike that formed 
by Colonel Basil Jackson, after seeing a good deal of the 
Longwood household. See his " Notes and Reminiscences of 
a Staff Officer," pp. 176-8.— J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 233 

as he usually did, handed her to her seat. Even 
sitting- down at table he took not the slightest 
notice of her, but began eating his dinner. 
During the dinner, missing the bottle of claret 
which usually stood before him, and Madame 
Bertrand, ever watchful of his motions, having 
handed him one which was near her, he very 
condescendingly exclaimed, " Ah ! comment se 
porte madame ? " and then very deliberately 
continued his meal. This, and this alone, was 
all the notice the long and serious illness of his 
favourite drew forth. 1 

April 15, 1816. — Lieutenant - General Sir 
Hudson Lowe arrived in the Phaeton, and took 
the command as Governor of St. Helena, to 
whom Sir George Cockburn made over his 
charge of Napoleon Bonaparte and all his 
followers, and who immediately adopted every 
measure which had been taken by Sir George 
Cockburn for the safe custody of this personage, 
and which are such as to render his escape next 
to an impossibility. Sir H. Lowe brought out 
permission for such of Bonaparte's followers to 
return to Europe as might wish so to do, but 

1 Mme. Bertrand was not liked by Napoleon, owing to 
her spasmodic ways and her endeavour to dissuade Bertrand 
from going to St. Helena. — J. H. R. 



2 3 4 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

after some little hesitation they all signed a paper 
declaring their determination to remain, Marechal 
Bertrand inserting a saving clause for himself 
and Madame Bertrand, expressing their wish to 
remain only a twelvemonth. 1 

June 17-19. — Rear- Admiral Sir Pulteney Mal- 
colm arrived in the Newcastle as Sir George 
Cockburn's successor, and all the necessary 
documents having been made over to him as 
naval commander-in-chief, on the afternoon of 
the 19th we quitted St. Helena, after a residence 
there of rather more than eight months, the latter 
two of which were spent in anxious expectation 
of our relief. 2 St. Helena, from its situation, 
composition, and picturesque appearance, is per- 
haps a place the most singular which navigation 
has presented to the curious observance of man. 
It is situated between the two tropics, in latitude 
1 5 53' S. and longitude 5 43' W. The atmo- 
sphere is temperate, with a continued southerly 
breeze. The thermometer in the country seldom 
exceeds 75° or is seldom below 6o° Fahrenheit ; 
in the valley it is generally from 70 to So. 

1 For Sir H. Lowe, see " Napoleon's Captivity in Relation to 
Sir Hudson Lowe," by R. C. Seaton (London, 1904). — J. H. R. 

3 For Sir P. Malcolm, see "A Diary of St. Helena (1816, 
1817)," by Lady Malcolm (London, 1899).— J. H. R. 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 235 

During our eight months' residence we experienced 
very little variation, and had continued rains. 
The climate is by no means so healthy as it is 
generally described to be, the children being 
sickly, and the adults suffering from the liver, 
of which complaint many of our men died. 1 

Nothing can possibly be less prepossessing, 
nay, more horribly forbidding, than the first 
appearance of this isolated and apparently burnt- 
up barren rock, which promises neither refresh- 
ment nor pleasure. To this terrific and dis- 
gusting external appearance (causing a wonderful 
contrast) I attribute in a great measure the many 
flattering and flowery descriptions which have 
been published of the interior beauties of this 
island, none of which was realised in my ideas, 
and it is contrast alone which in my opinion 
makes the scenery agreeable, the whole of which 
(having visited every part of the island) is far 
too highly coloured in every publication I have 
read. Some of the scenes I admit to be 
picturesquely grand, and some spots to be highly 

1 The high land around Longwood is far more healthy than 
Jamestown ; so Surgeon Henry found by comparing the health 
of the troops at the two stations. The health of the Boer 
prisoners of war while at Deadwood (near Longwood) was 
excellent. — J. H. R. 



236 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

verdant, and to those who have spent the better 
part of their lives in India a sojourn here for a 
fortnight is certainly a relief. These may view 
the scenery with rapture and delight, but the 
residence of a month at St. Helena would be 
tediously long to any one who has been 
accustomed to live in Europe. This island is 
about twenty-eight miles in circumference. James 
Town (the only one in the island) is situated in 
a deep valley of about a mile in length, the 
houses are commodious, and have a clean appear- 
ance. From Ladder Hill, which is about nine 
hundred feet perpendicular, to the eastward the 
coup cCceil of the town and anchorage is not only 
unique, but to some terrific, as the immense over- 
hanging rocks seem ready to escape from each 
other, and crush everything below. The town, 
and indeed most part of the island, is well 
supplied with good spring water, one of the 
principal sources of which is Diana's Peak, the 
highest spot on the island, and which is computed 
about two thousand six hundred feet above the 
level of the sea. The interior of the island 
abounds with vegetables of the best quality, and 
the poultry is superior in flavour to any I have 
ever met with. The inhabitants are friendly, 
obliging, and much inclined to hospitality, but, 



TAKING NAPOLEON TO ST. HELENA 237 

owing to the generality of them marrying young, 
and having large families, they have not in their 
power to indulge therein. The ladies are lively, 
agreeable, and many of them pretty, and, although 
self-taught, are not devoid of accomplishments. 
They are extremely domesticated, and it requires 
a residence of some time to become intimately 
acquainted with the different families. The 
hospitality of Sir George Cockburn made him an 
universal favourite, and his departure caused a 
general regret, which was strongly testified on 
the crowded beach as we embarked. 

June 23. — The Bucephalus accompanied us to 
Ascension, when we arrived on the morning of 
the 23rd, having seen it the preceding evening. 
This island was hitherto uninhabited, but since 
the arrival of Bonaparte at St. Helena, it has 
been taken possession of and garrisoned, to 
prevent ships harbouring there to assist the pos- 
sible escape thereby of Bonaparte, for which it is 
well adapted, being situated directly to leeward 
of St. Helena. Water has been found in the 
interior, and near the spring some land has been 
cultivated with success. 

June 2/\-Atigust 3. — The Bucephalus sailed for 
England, for which place we also sailed the 
following morning. We made the Cape de Verde 



238 NAPOLEON'S LAST VOYAGES 

Islands on July 6, on the 20th the Western 
Islands, and on the 3rd of August we arrived at 
Spithead, thus completing twelve months on a 
voyage which, from peculiarity of circumstances, 
was far more interesting than any ever likely 
again to occur, at least to 

John R. Glover. 

August 3, 18 16. — N.B. — As the foregoing 
narrative was kept for my own gratification, and 
that of my friends, and being particularly averse 
that any part of it should get into print, I most 
particularly request of those to whom I may lend 
it, that they will on no account copy any part of 
it, or allow any one so to do. 



THE END. 



INDEX 



Aboukir Bay, Battle of, 206 

Acre, 112, 174 

Adams, H., 52 

Africa, 186, 191, 193 

Aix, 112 

Ajaccio, 64 

Alexander, 202 

Alexander I., Czar, 37, 42, 151, 

152, i53> i55> 158, i7§> 182 
Alps, The, 57 

America, 27, 59, 60, 104, 129, 

*3o> 155 
Amiens, Peace of, 50; town 

of, 184 
Anas, Bay of, 97 
Ann, Grand Duchess, 152 
Antwerp, 53, 62, 88 
Arcis, 80 
Arnano, no 
Ascension Island, 237 
Aube, 81 

Augereau, General, 86 
A usterlitz, The, 43 
Austria, 87, 91, 142, 149, 151, 

153, 214; Emperor of, 158, 
167 



Auxerre, 112 

Azores, Islands of the, 95 

B 

Baden, Duke of, 218 
Bailey, Lieutenant, 105, 106 
Balcombe family, The, 222, 

223, 224 
Baltic, The, 199 
Bardadoes, The, 95 
Bareges, 105 
Barras, General, 213 
Bassano, Duke of, no 
Bastia, 64 

Baylen (Andalusia), 109 
Beattie, Captain, 117 
Beauharnais Eugene, 44, 153 
Belgic Netherlands, The, 62 
Bellerophon, The, 12, 14, 117, 118 
Belliard, General, no 
Bentinck, Lord William, 49, 

157 
Bernadotte, General, 103 
Berry Head, Devon, 13 
Bertrand, Madame, 13, 21, 115, 

126, 137, 208, 224, 230, 232 

233> 2 34 



239 



240 



INDEX 



Bertrand, Comte, 40, 41, 43, 

46, 47, 49, 5 2 , 69, 70, 77, i°7, 
108, 109, in, 112, 115, 118, 
119, 126, 130, 132, 134, 135, 
145, 161, 170, 183, 197, 198, 
206, 221, 224, 228, 234 

Berthier, General, 86 

Bingham, Sir George, 115, 116, 

121, 125, 128, 132, 137, 208 

Bliicher, General, 80, 81, 148 
Bonaparte, Charles, 13 
Bonaparte, Jerome, 168 
Bonaparte, Joseph, 50, 184 
Bonaparte, Louis, 59 
Bonaparte, Lucien, 216 
Bordeaux, 53 
Borghese, Pauline, Princess 

(Bonaparte), 99 
Bouc, 61 
Boulogne, 91, 94, 97, 98, 140, 

192 
Bourbons, The, 29, 53, 80, 150, 

159, 167 
Bourmont, General, 147 
Brest, 59, 62, 91, 94, 95, 97, 98 f 

141, 194 
Brienne, 64, 80, 1 1 1 
Britain, Great, see England 
British Army, no, 149, 158, 

226 
British East India Company, 

88 
Brueys, Admiral, 202 
Bruix, Admiral, 202 
Bucentaure, The, 91 
Bucephalus, The, 116, 191, 209, 

237 
Biilow, General, 81, 103 



Cadiz, 17, 92, 95, 97, 98, 141 
Cadoudal, M., 217, 218 
Calder, Sir Robert, 90, 96 
Calvi, 64, 65 

Cambronne, General, 101 
Campbell, Colonel Neill, 12, 36, 

38, 39, 40, 4i, 4 2 , 43, 45, 49, 
52, 55, 68, 69, 77, 78, 84, 88, 
107, 108, 109, no, in, 112; 
Journal of, 73, 74, 77 

Camperdown, Battle of, 44 

Campo Formio, 214 

Cape de Verde Islands, 237 

Capraja, Isle of, 66 

Caroline, Queen, 185 

Carteaux, General, 210 

Carthagena, 91 

Castlereagh, Lord Viscount, 36, 
42, 62, 86, 108, no 

Cathcart, Viscount, 38 

Catherine, Grand Duchess, 152 

Ceylon, The, 116, 191 

" Chapeau Rouge," Frejus, 40 

Chaptal, M., 71, 73, 92 

Charles of Spain, 132 

Chatham, 141, 192 

Chatillon-sur-Seine, 80 

Cherbourg, 61, 169 

Cintra, 54 

Clam, Comte, 43, 49, 68, 71, 107 

Clausel, General, 207, 208 

Cliffe peninsula, 16 

Cockburn, Sir George, Rear 
Admiral, 15, 17, 115, 116,118, 
119, 141, 233, 234,237 ; diary 

Of, 20, 22 

Coghlan, Captain, 65 



INDEX 



2\t 



Collingwood, Lord, 97 
Colmars, 212 
Combermere, Lord, 208 
Constant, M., Napoleon's valet, 

113 

Copenhagen, 60, 199 

Cornwallis, Lord Admiral, 96, 
184 

" Correspondence " of Na- 
poleon, 16, 93, 94 

Corsica, 49, 199, 210 

Corunna, 96 

Cosmao, Admiral, 143 

Coulis, M., 113, 114 

Courier, The, 27 

Cromwell, 50 

Curacoa, The, 77 

D 

Dalheme, General, 68, 77, 85 

Danes, The, 199 

David, M., 33 

Daudet, E., 32 

Denman, Captain, 191 

Denmark, 60 

Dennewitz, Battle of, 103 

De Vins, Austrian General, 211, 

213 
Devon, Captain, 191 
Dickens, Charles, 13 
Directory, The, 214, 215 
Djezza Pacha, 174, 178 
Dobree, Captain, 191 
Dominica, Island of, 93 
Dover, Straits of, 91 
Dresden, 61 
Drouot, Comte, 43, 49, 68, 77, 

90, 107 



Dryade, French frigate, 39, 42, 

104 
Dumanoir, Admiral, 143, 203 
Dunkirk, 195 

Dupont, General, 109, 112 
Duroc, Marechal, 182 
Dutch Fleet, 91 

E 

Egypt, 33, 129, 157, 160, 161, 

162, 171, 202, 206 
Egyptian Expedition, 214, 215 
Elba, Island of, 9, 12, 14, 36, 

37, 41, 49, 99, 104, 157, 173 
Elbe, The, 17, 44, 59, 62 
Emeriau, Admiral, 112 
Enghien Due d', 19, 218, 219 
England (Great Britain), 54, 87, 

94, 102, 134, 139, 142, 150, 

151, 163, 167, 188, 189, 204 ; 

invasion of, 88-90, 186, 192, 

194-214 
Erfurth, 151, 158 
Espoir, The, 27, 28 
Essling, Prince of, see Massena 
Essonne, 83 
Eurotas, The, 117 
Euryalus, The, 28, 29, 30, 31 
Eylau, Battle of, 71 



Falmouth, 128 

Ferdinand of Spain, 133, 134 
Ferrajo, Porto, 69, 74, 79 
Ferret, The, 126, 191, 220 
Ferrol, 94, 96, 97, 98, 142 
Finisterre, Cape, 91,97 
Flahaut, Comte, 108 



16 



242 



INDEX 



Flushing, 55 

Fontainebleau, 14, 37, 108, 113 ; 

Treaty of, 42, 87 
" Foreign Reminiscences," 51, 

92 
Fouche, M., 216 
Fox, Mr., 184 
France, 54, 85, 87, 88, 150, 163, 

199, 214, 215, 318 
Frejus, 14, 33, 39, 40, 44, 99, 

113, 114, 202 
French Navy, 63, 201-205 
French people, 147, 150, 159, 

168, 192 
Funchal, 164, 166 



Gasparin, Commissioner, 210 
Gantheaume, Admiral, 96, 97, 

141, 201, 202 
Genoa, 49, 104 
George III., 158 
Georges, M., 216, 217 
Gerard, General, 81 
Germanowki, Baron, 107 
Gibraltar, 54, 92 
Glover, Mr. Secretary, 11, 115, 

238 ; the manuscript diary 

of, 20, 21, 238 
Goldsmith, Mr. L., 143, 192, 193 
Gomera Island, 169 
Good Hope, Cape of, 138, 156 
Gourdon, Rear Admiral, 96, 97 
Gourgaud, General, 11, 12, 21, 

115, 119, 126, 128, 130, 132, 

159 
Gouvion St. Cyr, General, 103 

Grandelina, Admiral, 96, 97 



Gravelines, 195 

Gravina, Admiral, 92, 97 

Greatly, Captain, 117, 121 

Grenoble, 145 

Grouchy, General, 131, 147, 160 

Guadaloupe, 93 

Guernsey, Island of, 126, 169 

H 

Hamburg, 62 

Hamilton, Captain, 162, 191 

Harrison, Mr. Birge, 113 

Hastings, Lieutenant, 35, 68 

Havana, 92 

Havannah, The, 126, 162, 164, 

191, 220 
Havre, 135 
Henry, Surgeon, 225 
Holland, 43, 59, 62, 88 
Holland, Lord, 51, 62, 92 
Hood, Lord, 56 
Houssaye, M., 85 



Icarus, The, 126, 191, 220 

India, 95, 127, 190 

Indies, East, 63, 93 

Indies, West, 63, 89, 92, 95, 163 

"Influence of Sea Power on 

the French Revolution and 

Empire," 54 
Ireland, 44, 52, 90, 194, 195, 

204 
Italy, 17, 156, 212, 214 

J 

Jackson, Colonel Basil, 12, 232 
Jacobins, The, 146 



INDEX 



243 



Jaffa, 174, 176 
Jamaica, Island of, 95 
James, Mr., 93, 97 
Jamestown (St. Helena), 221, 

224, 235, 236 
Jena, Battle of, 103 
Jersey, Island of, 169 
Jerusalem, 102 
Josephine, The Empress, 152 

153 
Junot, General, 103 

K 

Keith, Lord, 117, 118, 137 
Kent, 89 

Kleber, General, 160, 161 
Koller, Baron, 43, 46, 47, 49, 58, 

63, 66, 69, 70, 73, 77, 107, 109, 

no 
Kolly, Baron de, 133, 134 



" La Jeunesse de Napoleon," 65 
Lallemand, Rear Admiral, 96, 

97.98 
Landor, 12 
Larrey, M., 177 
Las Cases, Comte, n, 20, 115, 

119, 126, 130, 132, 183, 196, 

222 
" La Terreur Blanche," 32 
La Vendee, 212 
Leipsic, Battle of, 207 
Leoben, 214 
Ligny, Battle of, 148 
Lithuanians, The, 189 
Loano, 212 



Locker, Mr., 77 
Lodi, Battle of, 213 
Lofft, Mr. Capel, 117 
London, 16, 89, 186, 195 
Longone, 77, 78, 79 
Longwood House, n, 221,222, 

224, 225, 227, 235 
Lorient, 95 
Louis XVI 1 1., 68, 145, 146, 

155 
Louise of Prussia, 19, 178-182 
Lowe, Sir Hudson, 233 
Lynedoch, Lord, 208 
Lyons, 53, 86, 112 
Lyons, Gulf of, 27 

M 
Mack, General, 143 
Macpherson, poet, 136 
Madeira, Island of, 126, 128, 

135, 164 
Madison, Mr., 129 
Magallon, M., 215 
Magdebourg, 178, 179, 182 
Magon de Clos-Dore, Admiral, 

96 
Mahon, Captain, 54 
Mainz (Mayence), 93 
Maitland, Captain, 12, 119 
Majestueux, The, 92 
Malcolm, Lady, 12 
Malcolm, Sir Pulteney, Rear 

Admiral, 234 
Malta, 51 

Mansel, Captain, 162 
Mantua, 44 
Marie Louise, Empress, 61, 151, 

157 



244 



INDEX 



Marmont, Duke of Ragusa, 83, 

84, 85, 86, 103, 207 
Marseilles, 28, 30, 35, 36, 38, 39, 

53, I08, 112 

Martinique, 92, 93, 95, 141 
Massena, General, 103, 104 
Mediterranean, 54 
" Memorial de St. Helene," 

11 
Menou, General, 161, 213 
" Mes Souvenirs sur Napoleon," 

7h 75> 92 
Metternich, 16 
Mexico, 60 

Milan, 93 ; Decree of, 59 
Miot de Melito, 16, 177, 231 
Missiessy, Admiral, 92, 93, 95, 

96 
Montcabri, Comte de, 39, 42, 

104 
Montholon, General, n, 20, 115, 

119, 126, 129, 132, 164, 170, 

232 
Montholon, Madame, 13, 115, 

126 
Montmartre, 85 
Moreau, M., 216, 217 
Mortier, General, 85 
Moscow, 1123, 124, 156, 188, 

207 
Mulgrave Fort (Toulon), 210 

N 
Nantes, 53 
Napier, Captain Charles, 28, 29, 

3i, 3 2 > 39 
Naples, Queen of, Marie Caro- 
lina, 157 



Napoleon — 
Abdication of, 31, 33 
America, on, 59, 60 
American War, on the, 130 
Amiens, on Peace of, 50-52 
Appearance at St. Helena, 

229 
Arcis to Brienne, on march 

from, 80-82 
Augereau, on treachery of, 

86 
Balcombe family, resides 

with the, 222, 224 
Bertrand, Madame, his treat- 
ment of, 232, 233 
Character of, 9-20, 231-233 
Egyptian campaign, on the, 

160-162, 171 
Elba, departure for, 36-49 ; 

voyage to, 50-68 ; landing 

at, 70; at, 70-114; return 

from, 145, 146 
Enghien, Due d', on, 19, 

218 
England, The Invasion of, 

on, 88-90, 139-142, 186, 

192, 194, 214 
English Church, questions on 

the, 135, 136 
Ferdinand of Spain, on, 132 
French Navy, on the, 62-64, 

199, 201-205 
French people, on the, 147, 

150, !59> l68 > !73> x 9 2 
Government representative, 

on, 166, 167 
Jaffa, The poisoning story, on, 

174-178 



INDEX 



245 



Napoleon (continued) — 
Life, gives account of his, 

209-219 
Line, Crossing the, 198 
Longwood House, at, 225-228 
Marie Louise, on marriage 

with, 151-154 
Marmont, on treachery of, 

83-85 
Naples, Queen of, advice to, 

157 

Northumberland, The, re- 
moval to, 119 
Paris fortifications, on the, 

191 
Paul, Czar, on, 189, 190 
Prussia, The Queen of, on, 

178-182 
Russian campaign, on, 123, 

188, 207 
St. Helena, arrived at, 220 
Toulon, Siege of, on, 56 
Trafalgar, Naval preparations 

after, 17, 18 
Wagram, Battle of, on, 207 
Walcheren, The, expedition, 

on, 55 
Waterloo, The Battle of, 
on, 130, 131, 147-149, 159, 
160 
"Napoleon at Fontainebleau 

and Elba," 55 
" Napoleon's Last Voyages," 21 
Napoleonic Studies, 60, 81 
" Naval History," James, 93 
Nelson, Lord, 16, 60, 93, 94, 95, 

199, 203, 206 
Netherlands, The, 17 



Nevers, 111 

Ney, Marshal, 103, 146 

Nice, 105 

Niddry, Lord, 208 

Nile, Battle of the, 203 

Northumberland, The, 12, 14, 

18, 21, 116, 118, 191, 196, 

228 

O 

O'Gorum, Sergeant, 72 
O'Hara, General, 56 
O'Meara, Mr. Barry, 12, 137 
Ord, Sir John, 92 
Ossian, 136 
Ottoman Porte, 127 



Paris, 18, 31, 37, 81, 82, 83, 85, 

J 34> I 5 2 > J 73> l8 5, 191. 211, 

212, 213, 216 
Paris, Treaty of, 87 
Paul, Czar, 189, 190 
Pauline, Princess, 76 
Pellew, Sir Edward, 66, 77, 104 
Peninsula, The, 105 
Persia, 190 
Peruvian, The, 126, 155, 191, 

208 
Petit, General, 111 
Phaeton, The, 233 
Pianosa, Island of, 74 
Piombino, 69, 108, 112 
Pichegru, M., 216, 217 
Plymouth, 21 

Poland, 44, 62, 87, 102, 159, 188 
Poles, The, 158, 189 
Pomegue, Island of, 29 



246 



INDEX 



Poniatowski, 188 
Porto Rico, 92 
Porto Santo, 164 
Portsmouth, 116 
Portuguese, The, 173 
Prince Rupert's Fort, 93 
Protestant Religion, The, 162 
Provence, 32 
Prussia, Emperor of, 158, 166, 

178 
Prussia, Queen of, 19, 178 
Prussia, 178, 179, 181 
Prussians, The, 80, 147, 159 

Q 

Querel (Querelle), 216 

R 

Recits, The, 11 

Redpole, The, 126, 191, 219 

Redwing, The, 27, 28 

Regent, The Prince, 36, 133, 

185 
Rennell, Rev. George, 135 
Rhine, The, 17, 92 
Rhone, The, 61, 112 
Rich, Captain, 191 
Rion, 73, 74 
Rivoli, The, 61 
Rochefort, 91, 92, 94, 98 
Roman Catholicism, 79 
Rome, 230 
Rosebery, Lord, 10 
Ross, Captain, 115, 116, 125, 

126, 128, 191 
Russia, 87, 142, 149, 153, 158, 

159, 188 



Saint Antonio, Island of, 172 

Saint Bernard Mountain, 78 

Saint Dizier, 81 

Saint Etienne, 53 

Saint Florent, Gulf of, 66 

Saint Helena, Island of, 9, 10, 
11, 12, 15, 118, 93, 115, 207 
209, 219, 220, 225, 234-237 

Saint Lucia, 93 

Saint Petersburg, 123 

Saint Tropez, 37, 38, 39, 40, 108 

Saint Vincent, Cape, 97 

Saliceti, Commissioner, 210 

Sanhedrim, The, 102 

San Domingo, Island of, 52, 87, 

93> l6 3 
Savary, 19 

Savona, 58, 105, 106, 212 
Savoy, 211 
Saxony, King of, 159 
Scheldt, The, 17, 62 
Schoovalof, Prince, 43, 48, 109 
Schwarzenberg, General, 80, 81, 

82,84 
Seeley, Sir John, 11 
Sicily, 157 

Sidmouth, Lord, 50, 51 
Sinclair, Major, 39 
Sinclair, Sir John, 27 
Smith, Lieutenant, 48, 66 
Smith, Sir Sydney, Admiral, 

in, 177 
Soult, Marshal, 103, 131, 207 
Spain, 53, 54, 87, 91, 173 ; King 

of, 173 
Spencer, Hon. Captain, 27 
Spithead, 238 



& 



K1). 



3.7 



INDEX 



247 



Stirling, Captain, 191 
Strasburg, 218 
Surinam, 93 
Sweden, 103 



Talleyrand, Marshal, 19, 86, 

218 
Terrare (Tarare), 53 
Texel, The, 88, 94 
Tilsit, Treaty of, 60, 178, 179 
Tippoo Saib, 127 
Tonnant, The, 117 
Touche-Treville, Admiral de la, 

9 1 
Toulon, 35, 56-60, 61, 62, 91, 

103, 105, 112 ; Fleet, 124, 

210 
Towers, Captain, 77 
Trafalgar, Battle of, 15, 17, 

63, 143 
Troyes, 81 

Truxo, Comte, 43, 48, 109 
Turks, The, 161 

U 
Undaunted, The, 12, 14, 27, 29, 

42, 48, 72, 75, 99, 101 
Ussher, Captain, 11, 14, 15, 16, 

38, 62, 99, 113, 114, 184; 

diary of, 20 ; note on, 23-25 
Utrecht, Treaty of, 59 
Uxbridge, Lord, 208 



V 



Valence, 86 
Valencay, 133 



Vandeleur's Brigade, 18 

Veitch, Mr., 165 

Venice, 61, 87 

Vergennes, Chief Minister of 

France, 50 
Verhuel, Dutch Admiral, 44, 88 
Victorieuse, The, 39, 42, 1 14 
Vienna, 55, 157 
Vigo, 96, 98 
Villeneuve, Admiral, 90, 91-98, 

143 
Vincent, Colonel, 69 
Virgil, 73 
Vitry, 81 
Vivian Brigade, 18 

W 

Walcheren expedition, 55 
Waterloo, Battle of, 18, 130, 131, 

147-149, 159, 160 
Wellington, Duke of, 83, 148, 

160, 208 
Western Island, 238 
Westropp, Captain, 191 
Weymouth, The, 126 
White, Captain, 155, 191 
Wilkes, Mrs., 228 
Wilson, Sir Robert, 177 
Wintzingerode's cavalry, 81 
Worcester, 16 

Z 

Zenobia, The, 126, 128, 191,209, 

220 
Zephyr, The, 26, 191 
Zuyder Zee, The, 62 



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